Security & Strategic Review - September 2005

Whether it is on the formal agenda for the Summit of the Americas or not, the issue of immunity for US troops will almost inevitably be raised when the rulers of the hemisphere meet in the Argentine seaside resort of Mar del Plata in November. Notice of this was served in late August by Argentine foreign minister Rafael Bielsa. The immediate motive for this was the debate over the current presence of US troops in Paraguay for exercises; not so much the fantasies about the establishment of a US base but the fact that Paraguay granted immunity to the visiting forces [SSR-05-07].