LATIN AMERICA

 

South America Integrating Defense

Santiago, Chile -  Defense ministers from 12 Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) are to analyze cooperation issues here on Monday and Tuesday in the first South American Defense Council (SADC).

According to organizers of the meeting, the SADC is an integration mechanism aimed at discussing realities and defense needs of the country members, reducing conflicts and distrust and paving the way for the future formulation of a common policy.

Deputy ministers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela held here in January its first meeting, opened by Chilean Minister Jose Goni, because his country has the pro tempore presidency of UNASUR until May, when Ecuador is the new president.

The agenda includes creation of a South American Center for Defense and Strategic Studies (SACDSS) and the execution in November of the First South American Meeting for Strategic Studies (SAMSS).

Also on the list is to plan a combined cooperation military drill in case of catastrophes or natural disasters, create a network to exchange information on defense policies, carry out a seminar on modernization of Defense Ministries, and reveal information on expenses and economic indicators of the sector.

Other points are the identification of "risk factors and threats that could affect regional and world peace" and the creation of a mechanism to join regional positions in multi-lateral defense forums.

Ministers will also analyze military cooperation, humanitarian actions and peace operations, industry and defense technology and training, among other issues.

Prior to the meeting, US head of the Joint chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen visited Chile last week and met with President Michelle Bachelet and military authorities, in the framework of a tour of several regional countries.