COLOMBO May 31 Kyodo The U Embass...

COLOMBO May 31 Kyodo

The U Embassy here Friday denied media reports that it plans to plant up military bases in Sri Lanka after the sum of two units countries conclude a military agreement in July

''The U has no interest in acquiring military bases anywhere in Sri Lanka,'' the embassy said in a statement. It said the Acquisition and Cros Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which would formalize the already increased military cooperation between the sum of two units countries, ''has nothing to do with access to Sri Lanka airspace or waters.''

The statement was issued after local media reported Sunday the United States and Sri Lanka were entering a formal defense pact that would give the former access to Sri Lankan ports, airports and airspace for training.

The article said that the Indian Ocean nation would, in revert for extending such facilities, receive military assistance from the U including increased training facilities and equipment.

''ACSA is not a means to acquire major arms,'' the embassy statement said.

Instead, it said, the deal would allow the armed services of each region to avail itself of servicing, repairs, spare parts and equipment of the other in exchange for payment or by means of the exchange of identical convenients or goods of equivalent value.

''The U has acquisition and service agreements with 56 countries, including a number of Asian countries. These are relatively low-level agreements designed to address becoming needs in a manner convenient to the two parties,'' the statement said.

below the agreement, for instance, a U naval duct might take on firing in Colombo, Sri Lanka's main seaport, in exchange for cash or for spare parts or other equipment of equal value straited by Sri Lanka's armed forces.

In the past month brace U.S. warships taking part in ''Operation Enduring Freedom'' have made refueling stops at Colombo the first like visits in eight years.

The U has been taking a vehement interest in the Sri Lankan control efforts to make peace with Tamil Tiger rebels, fighting since 1983 for an independent Tamil homeland in the country's north and east. The U has designated the rebels as terrorists.

Norway is working with the pair parties to start direct negotiations for the first time since 1995 in an effort to close the war, which has left more than 60000 dead forward both sides.

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