Colombia looks for reassurance as Chavez ups ante

Bogota: Colombia said on Sunday it will appeal to the UN Security Council and the Organisation of American States (OAS) after Hugo Chavez, the fiery leftist president of neighbouring Venezuela, ordered his army to prepare for war in order to assure peace.

For months Chavez has said that a military cooperation pact signed last month between Bogota and Washington could set the stage for a US invasion of Venezuela from Colombian territory.

The United States and Colombia dismiss that idea, saying cooperation is aimed strictly at fighting drug traffickers and Marxist insurgents within Colombia.

During a Sunday television address, Chavez ordered his military to prepare for war as the best way to preserve peace in the region. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe shot back with a statement rejecting Chavez's remarks.

"Considering the threats of war enunciated by the government of Venezuela, the government of Colombia proposes going to the Organisation of American States and the Security Council of the United Nations," the statement said.

Colombia also called for "frank dialogue" with Venezuela over their long-simmering diplomatic spat.

Venezuela has spent more than $3 billion (Dh11 billion) on arms, prompting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to warn against an arms race in the region.

Colombia recently asked the World Trade Organisation to intercede after Chavez blocked the import of some Colombian goods in protest against the US military pact.