MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Project for Mercosur regional Defence Office.

Mercosur member countries, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, plus associate members Chile and Bolivia are considering the establishment of a regional Defence Secretariat which could then advance in regional defence matters.

Argentine Defence Minister Jose Pampuro and Chilean Army Commander in Chief General Juan Emilio Cheyre coincided in Bariloche, Argentina that even "when it's an issue for the foreign policies of each country, we believe that with time we can have a coordinating office or permanent secretariat on military affairs. It's an integration from down upwards".

Mr. Pampuro went further adding that "Argentina adheres to this political decision" of a regional defence and is an initiative "with a very strong political message which exceeds Ministers and Chiefs of the Armed Forces".

Argentina hosted last week the three days Mercosur and associate members meeting of Army commanders with the participation of Generals Roberto Bendini from Argentina; Francisco de Albuquerque, Brazil; Juan Cheyre Espinosa, Chile; Santiago Pomoli, Uruguay; Luis Barreiro Spaini, Paraguay and Cesar Lopez Saavedra, Bolivia.

Mr. Pampuro revealed that talks on the issue had already begun with Brazilian Defence minister Jose Viegas Filho and Michelle Bachelet from Chile and will further advance during the coming Mercosur Defence ministers meeting scheduled for this week.

"When you open your Mountain Academy to another Army, that is important; but when you do the same with the War School and Intelligence that is even more important, and that is real advance in integration", said Chilean General Cheyre during the visit to the Argentine Army Mountain Academy. "This is an example for the world", emphasized Brazilian General de Albuquerque.

"And this is born not out of fear, but of commitment and convincement", added Argentine General Bendini.