Vega said in a statement that the Salvadorean government will donate Nicaragua a computer program which can identify the entry and departure record of nationals and foreigners.

A group suspected of having links with Al Qaeda has set Sept. 5as the deadline for El Salvador to withdraw its troops from Iraq, or else prepare for terrorist attacks on its territory and interests.

Vega said Nicaragua and El Salvador will have the same information platform by exchanging information to coordinate actions on the possible presence of individuals related to international terrorism.

In view of a possible presence of Al Qaeda groups in Central America, Nicaragua has doubled its security measures at the International Airport of Managua and the embassies of El Salvador and the United States in its territory, he added.

Chief of the National Police Edwin Cordero told the press Wednesday that his institution has increased intelligence data collection in order to detect possible foreign ties with terrorist groups which have threatened the Salvadorean government.

"We have escalated vigilance over the Managua airport, border posts and sea ports so as to prevent the entry into Nicaragua of terrorists," Cordero said.
 

Cuba opposes Panama's pardoning of anti-Castro activists
The Cuban government reiterated Wednesday that if Panama gives a pardon to four anti-Castro activists, Cuba will sever diplomatic ties with that country, according to the official daily Granma.

The newspaper quoted a newsletter released by the Cuban government as saying that Cuba will cut off foreign relations with Panama if Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso pardons the anti-Castro activists. Luis Posada Carriles, Gaspar Jimenez, Pedro Remon and Guillermo Novo Sampol had been accused by the Panamanian justice of attempting to murder Cuban President Fidel Castro.

The newsletter criticized Panama for not carefully analyzing and understanding the communique issued by the Cuban government onAug. 22 before making the decision to withdraw its ambassador to Cuba and request Cuban ambassador to leave Panama.

On Aug. 22, Cuba said in a statement that according to information from Panama and the United States, Moscoso is ready to release the four activists before leaving off her post.

The statement said, "We want to warn that, if these monstrous criminals are pardoned, diplomatic relations between the republics of Cuba and Panama will automatically be broken."

In November 2000, the four Cuban exiles were arrested for allegedly having planned to assassinate Castro at a 2000 summit of Latin American and Iberian leaders in Panama.

A Panamanian tribunal sentenced Luis Posada and Gaspar Jimenez Escobedo to eight years in prison and Guillermo Novo Sampol and Pedro Remon seven years in prison for endangering public safety and forging documents, but not for the presumed assassination attempt against Castro.

Moscoso denied Monday that the four Cubans were included in anayist of prisoners to be pardoned before she hands over the presidency to Martin Torrijos on Sept. 1.

"I have not made any decisions to pardon Panamanians or foreigners. But if I do, I will announce it," she said.

Ecuador, Brazil stress regional integration
Brazilian and Ecuadorian leaders said here Wednesday that they would promote development of ties between the Andean Community (Ancom) and the Common Market of the South (Mercosur).

In a joint statement, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Ecuadorian counterpart Lucio Gutierrez reaffirmed that the two groups will hold a summit meeting as soon as possible to establish a South American community.

They also said democratic systems should be enhanced in each country to realize regional integration and boost regional political, economic and cultural development.

Lula and Gutierrez stressed the importance of information exchange for fight against drug and human trafficking.

During his 22-hour visit to Ecuador, Lula also addressed the Ecuadorian Congress, stressing that bilateral relations between Ecuador and Brazil must be intensified in order to strengthen regional integration in the social, health and education areas.

He said his country emphasizes development of relations between the Ancom and the Mercosur.

Lula arrived here Tuesday afternoon. During his stay in the country, the two governments signed agreements on cooperation in oil, energy, health and communications.
 

Chavez ready to meet Bush to improve relations
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is ready to meet US President George W. Bush to try to improve relations, Venezuela's Foreign Minister said Wednesday.

Jesus Perez told a news conference that Chavez will travel to the United States next month to attend the opening of the United Nations General Assembly after he won a referendum on Aug. 15 with59 percent of votes to defeat an opposition bid to recall him from office.

Chavez is "ready to talk to anyone" to address the differences between Venezuela and the United States, he said.

But "nothing concrete" was planned so far for a meeting with Bush, and "let's hope somebody can help us to clear up a series of doubts ... that we can talk to each other face to face," Perez said.

Relations between the two countries have strained since late February after Chavez accused Bush of financing the opposition's plot against his government. In addition, Chavez believed the United States was behind the coup in 2002, which briefly ousted him from office.

The denunciations have been denied by the United States, the principal purchaser of Venezuelan oil.

Perez said prospects for a high-level meeting had improved with Washington's recognition of the result of the referendum.