MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Joint Chile/Argentine armies South Pole expedition

The Antarctic Departments from the Chilean and Argentine Armies are planning a joint expedition to the South Pole and common regional celebrations for 2010 when both countries will be celebrating two centuries of independence from Spanish colonial rule.

During the alternate biannual meeting which on this occasion took place in Punta Arenas, the officers in charge of the Antarctic Departments considered increasing scientific research and the organization of a joint expedition to Mount Vinson, the highest peak in the southern pole, as well as an expedition to the South Pole in the framework of the International Polar Year 2007/08 activities.

The Argentine Antarctic Department commander Colonel Mario Gabriel Dotto and his Chilean counterpart Colonel Miguel Santibañez underlined that the activities of their respective departments are "an international example of fraternity and operational capability. We have a rapid joint rescue patrol system for any emergency in the area".

The Argentine and Chilean armies operate bases in the Antarctic Peninsula, Esperanza and O'Higgins, at a distance of approximately sixty miles.

"During the expeditions we're programming we expect to include a strong scientific emphasis, particularly collecting information on atmospheric, land and ice conditions", said Colonel Dotto.

"It's an area of great scientific interest, geological and glaciological, and the impact of global climatic warming on the great mass of ice in Antarctica is still unknown, so every piece of information collected is very valuable", added Chilean Colonel Santibañez.

Turning historic mistrust and suspicion about the two countries goals in the region since the mid nineties have

Closer collaboration between the two armies in Antarctica and the South seas is part of a greater confidence building program launched by Argentina and Chile in the mid nineties.

"Conquering Mount Vinson and reaching the South Pole with joint expeditions would be a wonderful token of friendship and neighbourhood for the bicentennial independence celebrations of our countries", concluded Colonel Santibañez.