MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mercosur intelligence support

Uruguay that currently holds the Mercosur chair, will coordinate with other group members the intelligence, defence and financial information to be granted in support of the United States war on terrorism.

"I've requested Central Bank president Cesar Rodrígue Batlle and Economy Minister, Alberto Bensión to contact their counterparts so we can coordinate the financial intelligence gathering", said Uruguayan president Jorge Batlle. Mr. Batlle pointed out that President Bush has not declared war, but rather asked friendly countries to collaborate with law enforcement, military and financial intelligence. Uruguay's official position is full support in punishing the terrorists, "but not an act of vengeance. Military actions should be channelled through United Nations". The supply of financial information is a delicate issue for Uruguay since its banking and financial system works with secret accounts, and Argentina and Brazil have consistently demanded Uruguay, --with no luck--, to reveal the names of alleged tax evaders. Other areas where Mercosur cooperation with the US will increase are "judicial extradition of terrorist suspects", "strengthening of reciprocal judicial action", "real time exchange of sensitive information" and a stricter monitoring of the Triple Border area. The Triple Border involves Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, particularly the towns of Ciudad del Este, Iguazu and Foz de Iguazu, just close to the world famous waterfalls, an area virtually open, famous for its smuggling, including drugs, weapons and stolen goods which has a significant population of Arab and Palestinian origin. The Middle East terrorists presumably involved in the 1992 and 1994 bombings in Buenos Aires of the Israeli embassy and the building of the Jewish Federation, apparently slipped in to Argentina through Ciudad del Este. The possibility of militarising the area, following US requests will be considered this week by the Interior Ministers and security forces of Mercosur countries