Central American countries to set up rapid response forces
Defense ministers of five Central American countries agreed Wednesday to set up rapid response forces to tackle emergency situations in the region.

The decision was reached here at a meeting of defense and interior ministers of Panama and the four members of the Central American Defense -- Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, known as CA-4.

Each country has to decide the number of police officers and troops they would contribute to the forces, Nicaraguan Defense Minister Avil Ramirez told a press conference.

It is essential for the forces to be equipped with fast boats, helicopters, radar and communication tools to face the challenges of drug dealing, human-trafficking and terrorist activities, he said.

The convening parties also agreed to hold a meeting with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in October and ask for logistic support from the United States.