Pressed By U.S., Colombia Drops Plan To Buy Brazilian War Planes

Miami Herald
November 19, 2002

Pressed By U.S., Colombia Drops Plan To Buy Brazilian War Planes

By Frances Robles

BOGOTA – The Colombian Defense Ministry has nixed a deal to buy 24 Brazilian fighter jets, shortly after getting word from the U.S. Southern Command that the proposed $234 million purchase could jeopardize aid to Colombia.
The decision has sparked a debate over the U.S. role in Colombia’s internal affairs, and whether Americans are meddling in the South American nation’s civil war.
The Colombian military had proposed buying 24 Tucano fighter jets, an acquisition many observers believe is overly expensive and unnecessary. In a letter to Colombia’s armed forces commander, U.S. Gen. James T. Hill said the country’s most pressing need is for transport helicopters. And his letter suggests Colombia should beef up its American chopper fleet instead.
‘I am concerned about the Colombian Air Forces’ plan to spend $234 million to acquire new light attack aircraft,” wrote Hill, the Southcom commander. “Consider also that the U.S. Congress may not favorably view the purchase of the light attack aircraft as the Colombian Air Force’s most pressing expenditure and could negatively impact receipt of U.S. Congressional support for additional funding.”
Letter Criticized
The Miami-based Southern Command, in charge of American military operations in Latin America, casts the letter as advice given at the Colombians’ request. But Hill’s letter generated criticism here that he was lobbying on behalf of American companies.
The controversy underscores the difficult time the United States has had drawing a distinction between its $1.7 billion in aid to Colombia and its desire to boost business for American defense contractors.
”Colombians are becoming slowly aware that the price for increased U.S. military and economic aid is the loss of some political independence and sovereignty,” said a report from Stratfor, a Texas-based, risk-analysis company.
Noting that past aid to Colombia was replete with pressure to buy American, the country’s largest newspaper reported that the company that would compete for such a purchase is Lockheed Martin, based in Texas, President Bush’s home state.
”A contract from Colombia with Lockheed for $240 million would undoubtedly benefit the state and those that represent it,” El Tiempo wrote.
Other media reports say the Brazilian deal with Embraer defense manufacturers was loaded with influence-peddling and inflated prices, which further persuaded the Colombians to call it off. The Defense Ministry said it suspended the purchase until the budget is fatter.
But some Colombia observers say that although the U.S. Southcom commander’s letter looked bad, it was on target: The Brazilian war planes are too expensive and not needed in a nation that owns French fighter jets it rarely uses. The Colombian armed forces have long been criticized for lacking transport aircraft that enables it to quickly mobilize.
”The Colombian Air Force wants fancy toys,” said Adam Isacson, who follows the Colombian military for the Center for International Policy, a liberal policy research group in Washington. ‘And Hill’s letter was right: That purchase would raise eyebrows in Congress. But it came across like he was saying, `Don’t buy Brazilian, buy American.’ ”
Southcom defended Hill’s letter. ”There has been debate in Congress as to whether Colombia is spending its money wisely. This purchase could add fuel to that,” said Southcom spokesman Steve Lucas. “General Hill was not making an opening for a sale. Southcom is not in the business of selling military hardware.”
Brazil Angry
In Brazil, where Embraer is a major employer, the Foreign Relations and Defense Commission last Wednesday voiced outrage at the perceived meddling by U.S. military officials. The president, the foreign affairs ministry, Embraer and a spokesman for President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declined to comment.

Knight Ridder correspondent Kevin G. Hall in Brazil contributed to this report.

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