MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina supports South American Defence Council

In spite of growing military relations with Washington, Argentina is working closely in South American defense and integration affairs with Brazil with the purpose of “consolidating a regional military line of thinking” in the framework of Mercosur.

This according to the Buenos Aires press was Argentina's Secretary for Defence International Affairs Alfredo Forti message to US Defence Under Secretary Gordon England during a visit to Washington. "Argentina is actively working in South American integration and in its military side perspective, since we believe it's a pending issue of the Mercosur agenda", Mr. Forti told Mr England according to an official release from the Argentine Defence ministry. And while Mr. Forti was in Washington Defence minister Nilda Garré was meeting in Buenos Aires with her Brazilian counterparts to explore and agree on cooperation areas, basically in three alternatives for the manufacture by regional industry of land, sea and air military equipment. But the outstanding point was the political decision to advance with Brazil is the creation of a South American Defence Council. Brazilian president Lula da Silva and his Foreign Office are strongly pushing for the strategic objective of creating a regional military block which would limit the influence of the Inter-American Defence Board which historically has been under Washington's control. Argentina recently announced extra budget funds for Defence with the purpose of improving equipment and increasing the number of "aircrafts". Apparently naval pilots are very concerned since the Aeromacchi fighters are being phased out which leaves the force with no intermediate aircraft between the training Mentors and the ageing Super Etandards.