China increases foreign military training

WASHINGTON - China is training increasing numbers of Latin American military personnel, taking advantage of a three-year old U.S. law that has led to a sharp decline in U.S.-run training programs for the region, an Army general said Tuesday.

Gen. Bantz Craddock, who oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America, said military members of all ranks are receiving training in China, In addition, he said, more and more Chinese non-lethal military equipment is showing up in the region...It's a growing phenomenon."
Craddock testified before a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing where lawmakers from both parties called for the elimination of the law that authorizes U.S. training programs only under certain conditions - requirements that some countries refuse to accept.

The measure has given the Chinese military an opening in Latin America for the first time.
Committee Chairman John Warner expressed concern over the Chinese activities as did Sen. Carl Levin, the ranking Democrat on the panel.

Sen. John McCain suggested that repeal of the amendment should be included in an emergency supplemental legislation now being considered.

Said Sen. Hillary Clinton, "I think this is one of the most serious problems we face," alluding to the Chinese actions. The committee has a duty to "sound the alarm," she added.

At issue is a U.S. law that mandates an end to military training in countries that refuse to exempt U.S. citizens overseas from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Nations that join the ICC can evade U.S. sanctions can by signing an agreement with the United States that provides Americans immunity from ICC prosecution.


Twelve Latin American countries have declined to do so and are now subject to sanctions. Craddock testified that in 2003, a year before the law took effect, the United States trained 771 military personnel from countries that are now sanctioned.