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Chile and Argentina launch Cruz del Sur Joint Peace Force

Saturday, April 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
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The Joint Chiefs of Staff from the combined Argentine Chilean Peace Force, Cruz del Sur (Southern Cross) was officially imposed this week in Santiago and described as “another landmark” in the bilateral relation of the neighboring countries.

Chile's Defence minister Jose Goñi and the Argentine counterpart, Nilda Garré were present at the new military initiative ceremony which now has a combined command of seven Chilean officers and six Argentines under the orders of Chilean Army Colonel Ian Mackinnon. The seat of the combined Peace Force Cruz del Sur for the first year will be in Santiago de Chile. Minister Garré underlined the "sustained process of cooperation, closer links and concerted policies and joint activities" of the two countries, particularly regarding Defence and International Security. Although the roots of the process can be traced back to when both countries were struggling for independence 200 years ago, there were also hard times and frictions which took neighbors to the verge of war, "only 30 years ago", added Garré. But since the recovery of democracy in the two countries the bilateral relation "retook the lost path of dialogue, the peaceful solution to border differences and the instauration of a sustained process of confidence building and bilateral cooperation" in defense and security underlined the Argentine minister. "And relations have now reached a stage where we are truly strategic partners. The task we are undertaking should make us proud because from an entirely South American perspective we are contributing to the consolidation of international peace and security". Her Chilean counterpart Mr. Goñi said that at the end of the year Chile and Argentina will have the bi-national Cruz del Sur peace force at disposal of United Nations, "to contribute to the international community's efforts to keep or reinstall peace where a conflict has arisen". "Cruz del Sur is clear evidence of two countries willingness and efforts to contribute to peace". Ms Garré later revealed that Argentina and Chile are considering the possibility of joint procurement of military equipment as well as the manufacturing of "last generation training aircrafts". "Actually our interest is to promote cooperation in defense industry manufacturing with Chile and with other South American countries", said Garré adding that "we're most encouraged with these discussions which open a great opportunity for complementation and empowering the region by pooling experience and know-how". Ms Garré together with a delegation from the Ministry of Defence toured the International Air and Space Fair, FIDAE, currently taking place in Santiago and later visited the Chilean Aeronautics Corporation, ENAER, which manufactures aircrafts and is the regional maintenance workshop for several international defense contractors

Categories: Politics, Latin America.

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