NationStates Jolt Archive

NAPLES (Reuters) - Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa said Washington must let him open a military base in Miami if the United States wants to keep using an air base on Ecuador's Pacific coast.

Correa has refused to renew Washington's lease on the Manta air base, set to expire in 2009. U.S. officials say it is vital for counter-narcotics surveillance operations on Pacific drug-running routes.

"We'll renew the base on one condition: that they let us put a base in Miami -- an Ecuadorean base," Correa said in an interview during a trip to Italy.

"If there's no problem having foreign soldiers on a country's soil, surely they'll let us have an Ecuadorean base in the United States."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUKADD25267520071022
Sources: Yahoo/Reuters/OccNEWS

Interesting,
I think he has a point.
what is fair.. is fair

That's kind of a waste of money...I think there's better things for him to be spending money on than a useless military base. Not that his argument is illegitimate, just that it seems like a pointless request.

Actually, leasing out land for foreign bases would be a good source of revenue as well as a boost to the local economy. I have to admit, I wouldn't have any qualms about it.

Fair enough, considerig the USA has it's bases in everyone else's nations.

Well, the U.S. leases land in numerous countries from those countries for it's military bases. It's an exchange of money for temporary use of the land. Ecuador has every right to decide not to renew and every right to negotiate compensation. If they decide that an even exchange of goods (land for land) is the way they want to go, more power to them. But the reason why we lease so much land from countries like Ecuador is because they need the money and our politicians love to spend it. :p

Interesting,
I think he has a point.
what is fair.. is fair

I think most hispanics in Miami including non Cubans would be against it.

President Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Vice President Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Foreign Affairs Minister Elian Gonzalez
The Hispanic Republic of Miami Jai-Alai.

z0MG! It's teh beginning of an ebil Ecuadorian empire! :p

On a more serious note, I think it's bizarre that a country like Ecuador would bother with putting its military anywhere else in the world.

Wait 'til Iraq hears about this...

I wonder when the lease on Menwith Hill runs out...

That's kind of a waste of money...I think there's better things for him to be spending money on than a useless military base. Not that his argument is illegitimate, just that it seems like a pointless request.

Actually, leasing out land for foreign bases would be a good source of revenue as well as a boost to the local economy. I have to admit, I wouldn't have any qualms about it.

Hai. I mean, if he really wants to, then he can go ahead as far as I'm concerned...I just don't think it's a sensible way to spend Ecuador's money at this time.

Hmm. Foreign troops on US soil? Doesn't sound right to me.

Hmm. Foreign troops on US soil? Doesn't sound right to me.I agree,

on a side note, Cuba would like US to close Guantanamo Base.. and of course close the Gulag while we are at it.

I agree,

on a side note, Cuba would like US to close Guantanamo.

That would be a good...err...bad thing for Homeland Security. :confused:

Hmm. Foreign troops on US soil? Doesn't sound right to me.

I agree,

on a side note, Cuba would like US to close Guantanamo Base.. and of course close the Gulag while we are at it.

As opposed to the U.S. troops that are on foreign soils all over the damned world, INCLUDING Ecuador?

It'd only be fair, unless you'd rather we close all of our foreign military bases and withdraw to our borders.

I don't think he was serious,but rather trying to make a point. I posted the full story on another forum. The title of it is VERY misleading, taking his words way out of context.

Anyway, I almost want to say that Bush will turn into Reagan on this and help support a rightist group to overthrow Correa, since he is a leftist ally of Chavez.

That would be a good...err...bad thing for Homeland Security. :confused:Whose Homeland security?? Ecuador's or Cuba's ???

Anyway, I almost want to say that Bush will turn into Reagan on this and help support a rightist group to overthrow Correa, since he is a leftist ally of Chavez.That would be a good...err...bad thing for Homeland Security. :confused:hmm.. taking into consideration Zilam post..

Maybe US bases may-be bad for Ecuadorian/Cuban Homeland Security after all.

Whose Homeland security?? Ecuador's or Cuba's ???

Closing Guantanamo would be good for US security, IMO, but bad in the opinion of the current administration. I was trying be ironic/funny but failed. :(

As opposed to the U.S. troops that are on foreign soils all over the damned world, INCLUDING Ecuador?

It'd only be fair, unless you'd rather we close all of our foreign military bases and withdraw to our borders.

Who cares about fair in international relations?

But I would support withdrawing US troops back to the US.

Closing Guantanamo would be good for US security, IMO, but bad in the opinion of the current administration. I was trying be ironic/funny but failed. :(My mistake..

my irony-o-meter batteries need to be recharged.

Well, whatever. Kickin' out US bases is not impossible. We did that more than a decade ago.

Well, the U.S. leases land in numerous countries from those countries for it's military bases.

Not in Japan. Their constitution was written so that they have to have to pay for the privilege of having a base on their land.

Not in Japan. Their constitution was written so that they have to have to pay for the privilege of having a base on their land.

That's what happens when you pick a fight then lose. ;)

Ecuador should send peacekeeping troops to Detroit.

It would be interesting to know when the leases on all the US bases in other countries run out. I suspect that there will be an increasing trend of refusing to renew them.

Can they torture prisoners there and, in future times, call it a US base, just as the US will doubtless do with Guantanimo, thus freeing them from all guilt?

That's what happens when you pick a fight then lose. ;)

It also happens when you get mugged in an alley. Or visiting relatives turn out to be a swarm of uzi packing locusts.

Wait 'til Iraq hears about this...
Yeah, perhaps Iraq will want to build 14 enduring bases (http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040323-enduring-bases.htm)in the US?

Let's see now.....N.Y, L.A., Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., Miami, Rosslyn, St. Louis, Detroit, and other strategic locations?? :D

It would be interesting to know when the leases on all the US bases in other countries run out. I suspect that there will be an increasing trend of refusing to renew them.
The US has probably got leases like forever + 1 day?

Anyway, I almost want to say that Bush will turn into Reagan on this and help support a rightist group to overthrow Correa, since he is a leftist ally of Chavez.
Like the White House actually has the time and the willpower left to design plans to bring all those Latin American nations back in line. Given the grotesque disasters that the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned out to be, I'm afraid that the demented ghost of Ronald Reagan has since long possessed the frail frame of G.W. Bush.

Every country should have a base in USA.

Every country should have a base in USA.
Well, then, we'll take all of Hawaii as our military base.

yup.
the us has over 700 known/admitted military bases & installations in over 130 different countries. (no. this does not include embassies)
according to Chalmers Johnson in his "Sorrows of Empire"

The US has probably got leases like forever + 1 day?

I doubt there was that much foresight

What kind of military base? For how long? Will they employ the locals and pay local and state taxes? Will they respect local, county, state, and federal laws while here?

I say let 'em. Free money, if you ask me. Free money from Ecuador! Down with the debt!

What kind of military base? For how long? Will they employ the locals and pay local and state taxes? Will they respect local, county, state, and federal laws while here?
Probably about as well as americans respect the locals and the local laws when they're stationed abroad.

yup.
the us has over 700 known/admitted military bases & installations in over 130 different countries. (no. this does not include embassies)
according to Chalmers Johnson in his "Sorrows of Empire"

And has been pointed out to you in the past, nearly 400 of those bases are in Germany, and the vast bulk of those are things like Apartment blocks, Golf courses and off-base officer housing.

Golf courses? Well, I guess it's more relaxing to play a round of golf somewhere in Bavaria then in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.

Golf courses? Well, I guess it's more relaxing to play a round of golf somewhere in Bavaria then in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.

Truth.

It also happens when you get mugged in an alley. Or visiting relatives turn out to be a swarm of uzi packing locusts.

Or pretty much any time large groups of humans interact. :p

Nuke Ecuador.

The USA will not allow Ecuadorean leftists to have a military base on US soil. Ever.

Therefore, Correa has simply given the USA an ultimatum with only one possible option: removal of the US military base. I can safely assume that that is his primary objective.

Good. I hope the USA does close its base.

The USA will not allow Ecuadorean leftists to have a military base on US soil. Ever.how'bout a right-ist base ?

I didnt think so. All your base are belong to US.

how'bout a right-ist base ?

I didnt think so. All your base are belong to US.

And it's called the School of the Americas.

I think it'd be a great idea. Get all the economic benefits of a military base for Florida with Ecuador footing the bill!

And why not? Ecuador is a fairly stable nation, and has been a good ally. It wouldn't do the US any harm, and may do us some good diplomatically.

An Ecuadorian military base in Miami. I'll take it. Build it right on top of Dolphin Stadium, and tell the Dolphins they can have their stadium back when they have a real team. < /hijack >

And has been pointed out to you in the past, nearly 400 of those bases are in Germany, and the vast bulk of those are things like Apartment blocks, Golf courses and off-base officer housing.

Indeed. If there's one thing more ignorant than ignoring the facts the first time, its repeating the same lies in the hope someone will believe them.

I would first question the strategic viability of Ecuador having a base in Florida. But I would have no objection to it.

I would first question the strategic viability of Ecuador ...Their strategic viability is like this: "Wanna use our country for a military base? then we can use your country for one of our bases."

That's kind of a waste of money...I think there's better things for him to be spending money on than a useless military base. Not that his argument is illegitimate, just that it seems like a pointless request.

Actually, leasing out land for foreign bases would be a good source of revenue as well as a boost to the local economy. I have to admit, I wouldn't have any qualms about it.

Exactly: if he wants to make rent of land to the US millitary contingent on the US letting his build a millitary base then he's got every right to do so, but given that US land is probably a lot more expensive than land in Ecuador it'd be a a ridiculous white elephant.

I wonder when the lease on Menwith Hill runs out...

It does'nt

Its an RAF base lent to the US until such times as either: a. the US leaves (much like RAF Greenham Common) or b. the government of the day asks them to leave

And since none of the the 3 major UK political parties will do that..... guess it's the a option

If they decide that an even exchange of goods (land for land) is the way they want to go, more power to them. Yeah, Land for Land,
No wonder they did chooce Miami, Southamericans love to vacation in Miami

Well, the U.S. leases land in numerous countries from those countries for it's military bases. It's an exchange of money for temporary use of the land. Ecuador has every right to decide not to renew and every right to negotiate compensation. If they decide that an even exchange of goods (land for land) is the way they want to go, more power to them. But the reason why we lease so much land from countries like Ecuador is because they need the money and our politicians love to spend it. :p

Ecuador has no serious security interests that would justify a base in Miami. It's more stupid grandstanding by another leftist twerp.

So go ahead and revoke our base, Mr. Banana Republic, align yourself with drug trafficers, and see what happens next.

Ecuador has no serious security interests that ... Who decides what are the security interest of Ecuador?
The gov of Ecuador does.(Just like US)

Who decides how to waste the defense Budget?
The gov of Ecuador does. (Just like US)

Who decides what are the best location for the Ecuador Military Bases?
The gov of Ecuador does. (Just like US)

And has been pointed out to you in the past, nearly 400 of those bases are in Germany, and the vast bulk of those are things like Apartment blocks, Golf courses and off-base officer housing.
And of those that haven't been shut down, a fair chunk are NATO bases, co-hosting German military among others. And of all the German bases (as Andaluciae alludes), only a portion of those are anything of size. Many are GSUs or small detachments.

Probably about as well as americans respect the locals and the local laws when they're stationed abroad.

Dear god...

For that reason alone we should never allow anyone to to have a base anywhere in the US, ever. I mean, honestly, American's(Actually any foreign military stationed anywhere) don't exactly like to "behave" in accordance to the "law"(Apparently it's subjective to them, if they pay attention to it at all). If we had even one on our soil... all hell would break loose if they even remotely came close to how we respect locals.

Ecuador has no serious security interests that would justify a base in Miami. It's more stupid grandstanding by another leftist twerp.

So go ahead and revoke our base, Mr. Banana Republic, align yourself with drug trafficers, and see what happens next.

Oh! Oh! I know! Bush sells weapons to Iran and uses the money to found terrorists to "overthrow" the Government, however they instead destroy churches, hospitals, schools, and kill several thousand people!

What do I win?

:D

Dear god...

For that reason alone we should never allow anyone to to have a base anywhere in the US, ever. I mean, honestly, American's(Actually any foreign military stationed anywhere) don't exactly like to "behave" in accordance to the "law"(Apparently it's subjective to them, if they pay attention to it at all). If we had even one on our soil... all hell would break loose if they even remotely came close to how we respect locals.

Well hang on now, that's not universally valid. I think that particular stipulation has to do with how good the relationship is with the host nation. At my current station, we don't have any issues with the locals, and in fact there's very strong relationships between us. Granted they get a little irked when we have night flying, but that's a separate issue.

In Korea, that's not quite the same.

Well hang on now, that's not universally valid. I think that particular stipulation has to do with how good the relationship is with the host nation. At my current station, we don't have any issues with the locals, and in fact there's very strong relationships between us. Granted they get a little irked when we have night flying, but that's a separate issue.

In Korea, that's not quite the same.

I've heard the same in Japan, as well. Granted, it's not a universal, it all depends on the particulars of the situation and whether or not you have douches stationed there or not.

It was more for humor than anything.

And has been pointed out to you in the past, nearly 400 of those bases are in Germany, and the vast bulk of those are things like Apartment blocks, Golf courses and off-base officer housing.


yup, sure. i believe you.
and all the crimes surrounding US bases at Okinawa are an exception and not the rule. ok, now i really believe you.
there should be zero crimes committed by US service people at these bases.
what ever happened to well disciplined?

yup, sure. i believe you.
and all the crimes surrounding US bases at Okinawa are an exception and not the rule. ok, now i really believe you.
there should be zero crimes committed by US service people at these bases.
what ever happened to well disciplined?

Oh brother...

yup, sure. i believe you.

And I'm sure you have plenty of evidence to support your idea that the information contained in this document (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2003/basestructure2003.pdf) is lies, and the golf courses are in fact being used for a far more heinous purpose than a shower of geriatric generals holding up play on the 14th.

and all the crimes surrounding US bases at Okinawa are an exception and not the rule. ok, now i really believe you.
there should be zero crimes committed by US service people at these bases.
what ever happened to well disciplined?

No, crime at Okinawa is not the exception. Miltary bases of all countries, domestic or foreign, carry a risk of increased crime. I'd like to see you put several thousand young people anywhere and not see an increase in crime levels.

Yeah, Land for Land,
No wonder they did chooce Miami, Southamericans love to vacation in Miami

I've heard it referred to as the Financial Capital of Latin America, after all.

The Ecuadorians would, if that is truly the case, have a vested interest in guaranteeing the security of Miami. I mean, hell, if they want to cover our defense costs for us AND give us money to do it, why not?

I've heard it referred to as the Financial Capital of Latin America, after all.

The Ecuadorians would, if that is truly the case, have a vested interest in guaranteeing the security of Miami. No, they would use their base for their interests.
They've seen us install several Condos, swimming pools and Golf courses in Germany.. I think They would install Some kind of Latino Disneyland-LasVegas-SalsaLand with a beach front..

The Clients would be All those retired rich people who do not want to bother with the Visa burocracy at the US Consulate.. because they cant prove their assets (all in numbered Bank accounts).. or are blacklisted by the US gov..
Many Americans would be client too.. because they can drink and Party at anytime of the nite at any age.
It would be like Tijuana+Rio+MardiGrass all year..

:D

That's kind of a waste of money...I think there's better things for him to be spending money on than a useless military base. Not that his argument is illegitimate, just that it seems like a pointless request.

Actually, leasing out land for foreign bases would be a good source of revenue as well as a boost to the local economy. I have to admit, I wouldn't have any qualms about it.

Our bases abroad are a waste of money.

Interesting,
I think he has a point.
what is fair.. is fair

Except that is up to the host country if they want to allow a foreign military base on their soil.
Countries who have US military bases on their territory have granted the US permission to have those bases there.
It is up to the US if they want to give Ecuador basing rights in the US.
Such things are subject to complex negotiations and troops of foreign lands often face a lot of restrictions of their time off post, for example they are not allowed to go party it up at clubs and stuff like that. Plus Americans are required to respect the laws of the host nation.
Something tells me that Ecuador's military, which has a bad reputation when it comes to human rights and respecting the laws of Peru, a nation they've illegally camped in. Once America's base contract with Peru is expired, it is up to Peru if they want to keep American troops on the base.
I don't see how the airbase itself is so vital. All the US needs is some more aircraft carriers that can stationed offshore in international waters that can do the job just as well, or better. The carriers can be specially adopted for counter narcotics operations.

Besides, we need new carriers.

Fair enough, considerig the USA has it's bases in everyone else's nations.

Only with their consent.

Wait 'til Iraq hears about this...

Iraq is a closer ally than Peru is. Unlike Peruvians, Iraqis have a real appreciation for the need to have allies help defend democratic principles.

Who cares about fair in international relations?

But I would support withdrawing US troops back to the US.

Withdraw them and destroy the host nation's economies. Most countries who are host to American troops are dependent on the money those troops spend in their countries.

Americans spend way more money than anyone else.

Withdraw them and destroy the host nation's economies. Most countries who are host to American troops are dependent on the money those troops spend in their countries.

Americans spend way more money than anyone else.

I doubt it would destroy the economies of an entire nation. Maybe a small island nation, but ruining a country like Germany's economy? Nah.

And we shouldn't spend so much money. We're in what, 9 trillion dollars of debt? We should start saving...

Well, whatever. Kickin' out US bases is not impossible. We did that more than a decade ago.

Which country is that? If the Phillipines, they didn't exactly kick them out. The contract expired and the Phillipines chose not to renew it.

Which country is that? If the Phillipines, they didn't exactly kick them out. The contract expired and the Phillipines chose not to renew it.

Actually...the Philippines hiked the rent and the US said buh bye.

I doubt it would destroy the economies of an entire nation. Maybe a small island nation, but ruining a country like Germany's economy? Nah.

And we shouldn't spend so much money. We're in what, 9 trillion dollars of debt? We should start saving...

Well, it might hurt local economies, such as bars and such, but the national economy of any major nation would probably not even notice.

Like the White House actually has the time and the willpower left to design plans to bring all those Latin American nations back in line. Given the grotesque disasters that the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned out to be, I'm afraid that the demented ghost of Ronald Reagan has since long possessed the frail frame of G.W. Bush.

Hmmm. Consider that.
In both Iraq and Afghanistan put together the US has 180,000 troops.

In total, the US has a little over 1 million troops available, not including reservists and Guard.


As Gates said, we have enough troops to beat Iran 3 times over and still maintain counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As per Ecuador I'm not sure why we still have a base there. It's supposed to be for counter narcotics but seeing all the druggies, I'm not sure it has done a bit of good.

I say let 'em. Free money, if you ask me. Free money from Ecuador! Down with the debt!

Ecuador has no money.

As Gates said, we have enough troops to beat Iran 3 times over and still maintain counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I like to see proof of this comment.

Probably about as well as americans respect the locals and the local laws when they're stationed abroad.

Actually US military are required by UCMJ to respect local laws. As for respecting locals, it depends on what you need. In some nations, the American military personnel are banned by the UCMJ from dating or marrying local women because the military is convinced that local women are actually spies trying to steal military secrets.

Actually US military are required by UCMJ to respect local laws. As for respecting locals, it depends on what you need. In some nations, the American military personnel are banned by the UCMJ from dating or marrying local women because the military is convinced that local women are actually spies trying to steal military secrets.

Um..proof please? Do you even know what the UCMJ is?

It does'nt

Its an RAF base lent to the US until such times as either: a. the US leaves (much like RAF Greenham Common) or b. the government of the day asks them to leave

And since none of the the 3 major UK political parties will do that..... guess it's the a option

eh....considering that the UK has troops on US bases in the USA..........

Iraq is a closer ally than Peru is. Unlike Peruvians, Iraqis have a real appreciation for the need to have allies help defend democratic principles.Once America's base contract with Peru is expired, it is up to Peru if they want to keep American troops on the base. I have an Idea.. Why dont we dial up one of those Generals that did some studies at the "School of the Americans".. we ask him "General, are you Patriot enough to save your country from these corrupted politicians and be the next President?".. Then we use the CIA to help grease things up.. the key peoples can either take the Dolares-filled-briefcase or a bullet to the head.. and Bingo!! in a few month we have a Puppet President..

Now all we need to do is ask that President to sign a eternity Lease for a Base paid in Pesos.
And while we are at it, we ask him to sign some economic treaties, to sign a few 20-years-contracts contracts with Halliburton.. and to buy a few old planes.. and other expensive military gear.

Dear god...

For that reason alone we should never allow anyone to to have a base anywhere in the US, ever. I mean, honestly, American's(Actually any foreign military stationed anywhere) don't exactly like to "behave" in accordance to the "law"(Apparently it's subjective to them, if they pay attention to it at all). If we had even one on our soil... all hell would break loose if they even remotely came close to how we respect locals.

You do know that there are troops from the UK, Australia, El Salvador, Hungary, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Canada, and Germany stationed in the US on US bases?

If an American soldier violates local laws, depending on the contract, he can be liable to two prosecutions: local prosecution and military prosecution. Usually if a soldier violates local law, the military responds by temporarily banning all soldiers under E-5 from leaving post since its always the privates (young soldiers who are in their teens or barely even 20) who disrespect local laws.
The older soldiers, you usually never have a problem with.

I doubt it would destroy the economies of an entire nation. Maybe a small island nation, but ruining a country like Germany's economy? Nah.

And we shouldn't spend so much money. We're in what, 9 trillion dollars of debt? We should start saving...

We've actually closed most of our bases in Germany.
I was referring to countries like Korea, Ecuador etc.

Most countries use the money we pay them for basing rights to build up their own country's economy and military.

In fact, some basing agreements include military exchanges.

Interesting,
I think he has a point.
what is fair.. is fair

There is no fair in international relations. There is only power. Ecuador has nothing comparable to the US, no pressing national interest in establishing a base. How and where does Ecuador deploy its troops? What would be the purpose of such a venture?

Though those questions are open-ended, they are more rhetorical than anything.

You do know that there are troops from the UK, Australia, El Salvador, Hungary, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Canada, and Germany stationed in the US on US bases? Ecuador is not asking for an invitation for a few colonels to study and play Golf in-base. (besides they probably already had a few handpicked officers invited by the Pentagon)

They want to pwn their big bad base in Miami.

Um..proof please? Do you even know what the UCMJ is?

The Universal Code of Military Justice requires soldiers to obey commander's orders whereever they might be.
If the commander says you must respect local laws and you go out and violate those same laws, you are disobeying your commander which is prosecutable under the UCMJ.

Unlike civilians, soldiers can be tried twice for breaking the host nation's laws.
The trials can take place consecutively or at the same time. One being local civil authority, the other being US military authority.

There is no fair in international relations. There is only power. Ecuador has nothing comparable to the US,Granted They dont have the Uber Imperial Army.. They dont have the Carriers, they dont have the Stealth Bombers..

So I guess they better shut up and let US have our base in their Country. And its the same for Peru and Cuba.

Ecuador is not asking for an invitation for a few colonels to study and play Golf in-base. (besides they probably already had a few handpicked officers invited by the Pentagon)

They want to pwn their big bad base in Miami.

Well those other soldiers from those other countries aren't exactly playing golf either. They're training. And that's the same thing that US troops do on American bases in foriegn nations. They train.
Even in Iraq, if you are not on a mission they make you do training.

Hmmm. Consider that.
In both Iraq and Afghanistan put together the US has 180,000 troops.

In total, the US has a little over 1 million troops available, not including reservists and Guard.


As Gates said, we have enough troops to beat Iran 3 times over and still maintain counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As per Ecuador I'm not sure why we still have a base there. It's supposed to be for counter narcotics but seeing all the druggies, I'm not sure it has done a bit of good.

~720,000 of that 1 million are not serving in branches that work at the front lines on land... And even then you need a good chunk of the remainder working in a support capacity... Of the remainder, 45% serve in support capacities and are also non-deployable.

The actual total is 1,400,000. Subtracting the first set of personnel leaves you with 680,000; 45% of that is serving in support capacities behind the lines; leaving you with ~440,000... 180,000 are already deployed; taking the total down to 260,000 who could be committed to an addition front... Mind you; we are already presently stretched rotating that 440,000 with the 180,000 to help prevent fatigue on the front lines (and not doing that very well)... So, deploying to an additional front will guarantee troop combat fatigue... An easy enough assertion for an arm-chair warrior such as yourself; not desirable for anyone who is wearing this countries uniforms.

Well those other soldiers from those other countries aren't exactly playing golf either.It doesnt really matter.

Once the Ecuadorian base is set up.. we would not be able to install surveillance cameras inside their dome.. or send Golf inspectors on a daily base.

Local TV stations would have to ask (and wait) for an unlikely appointment for a rare "guided" visit, and only access selected areas.. the pool. :D

Ecuador has no money.

Then we'll take their Llamas and Alpacas!

The Universal Code of Military Justice requires soldiers to obey commander's orders whereever they might be.
If the commander says you must respect local laws and you go out and violate those same laws, you are disobeying your commander which is prosecutable under the UCMJ.

Or by the local authorities depending if there is a Status of Forces Agreement signed with said nation. I see you forgot that.

Unlike civilians, soldiers can be tried twice for breaking the host nation's laws.

Twice? Double Jeopardy does not exist in the US Military.

The trials can take place consecutively or at the same time. One being local civil authority, the other being US military authority.

If there is a SOFA with the nation, it is out of US military hands.

As opposed to the U.S. troops that are on foreign soils all over the damned world, INCLUDING Ecuador?

It'd only be fair, unless you'd rather we close all of our foreign military bases and withdraw to our borders.

You don't seem to understand.
America is superior.
Planting our troops in other nations against their will is an honour.
If we let them put a base on our soil, it would lessen the honour they have when they enjoy the great opportunity that is the American Army.
Life isn't fair.
Except for America.

You don't seem to understand.
America is superior.
Planting our troops in other nations against their will is an honour.
If we let them put a base on our soil, it would lessen the honour they have when they enjoy the great opportunity that is the American Army.
Life isn't fair.
Except for America.


oh, come now.
it's not against their will.
they get some crumbs thrown back to them that the legal constructs the trans-national corporations got to rip-off from them.
sure this "aid" is usually in the form of military assistance.


if imperialism/colonialism had actually ended, more than just foreign officials heading the administration would have ended. resources leaving the country would not have continued at or about at the same levels as before colonialism (supposedly) ended.

they get some crumbs thrown back to them that the legal constructs the trans-national corporations got to rip-off from them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_European_Command#composition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_European_Command#composition

is this under which "Operation Gladio" was?

Does Ecuador even have enough troops to sustain a military base in the US? I highly doubt it. Seems to me Ecuador needs to be quiet, get paid and be happy. Leave the military and global reach to the big boys. Like the US.

Seems to me Ecuador needs to be quiet, get paid and be happy.Yeah.. Ecuador need to be like your perfect wife: shut up and take some money for the shopping mall. :D

Or Ecuador can just let the contract expire and then not renew it in which case the US has to leave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_European_Command#composition


um, yeah.
i guess i should say, i don't get your post

Think "Ecuador attacks Canada from its legal US base" and you're getting some idea of how humiliating it is to have a foreign base on your soil.

Never mind that Ecuador couldn't do that from Miami, or that Canada would make them seriously regret it ... what are YOU going to tell Canada? "It's really not our fault, we're just renting them some real estate"?

Think "Ecuador attacks Canada from its legal US base" and you're getting some idea of how humiliating it is to have a foreign base on your soil.

Never mind that Ecuador couldn't do that from Miami, or that Canada would make them seriously regret it ... what are YOU going to tell Canada? "It's really not our fault, we're just renting them some real estate"?

You can ban them from using the base to attack other nations. Saudi Arabia did this when the US attacked Iraq in 2003. So we, Americans, had to move everything through Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkey. No American forces based in Saudi were allowed to participate.

Also, the French and the Spanish banned the US jets from flying over their countries when Reagan bombed Libya. Lots of precedence for that kind of restriction of foreign base usage.

Then we'll take their Llamas and Alpacas!

You can have those. I'd rather take their women.

You can ban them from using the base to attack other nations. Saudi Arabia did this when the US attacked Iraq in 2003. So we, Americans, had to move everything through Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkey. No American forces based in Saudi were allowed to participate.

You can scratch Turkey off that list to.

Also, the French and the Spanish banned the US jets from flying over their countries when Reagan bombed Libya. Lots of precedence for that kind of restriction of foreign base usage.

Indeed.

Correa is doing this all wrong, while the rhetorical values for standing up to US imperialism are admirable, the better decision would have been for Equador to put a close watch on the base, bug it, and make sure it can't do anything substantial or independent, and then incrementally jack up the rates and see how long the US stays, best to get as much from the imperialists as possible before giving them the boot.

You can ban them from using the base to attack other nations. Saudi Arabia did this when the US attacked Iraq in 2003. So we, Americans, had to move everything through Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkey. No American forces based in Saudi were allowed to participate.

Actually, Turkey wouldn't let us send any large scale conventional forces through their country. My unit was supposed to go in through Turkey in '03, but they told us to fuck off so we had to sit in Kuwait for a full month waiting for the boats full of equipment to make their way from Turkey.

Actually, Turkey wouldn't let us send any large scale conventional forces through their country. My unit was supposed to go in through Turkey in '03, but they told us to fuck off so we had to sit in Kuwait for a full month waiting for the boats full of equipment to make their way from Turkey.

Yep and Turkey's response prevented my dad from going over for awhile as well.