Fwd: Brazil-Argentina Defense Alliance Could Hurt U.S.

[Jacob Levich <jlevich@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Can anyone explain what's behind this?

Thanks in advance,

Jake


> > Stratfor
> >
> >
> > Brazil-Argentina Defense Alliance Could Hurt U.S.
> > 16 September 2002
> > Summary
> > Brazil is calling for an "integration" of its national defense doctrine
> > with that of Argentina. The goal is to build a common South American
> > defense policy based mainly on preventing the United States from
> > establishing a permanent military presence anywhere in the region. If
> > Argentina accepts the proposal, it could undermine U.S. efforts to build
> > hemispheric military support for battling regional rebels and drug
> > traffickers.
> > Analysis
> > Brazil's government is quietly lobbying political and opinion leaders in
> > Argentina to accept a proposal for "total defense integration" between the
> > two countries, Buenos Aires daily Clarin reported. By "integration," the
> > Brazilians mean the adoption of a common regional defense doctrine but not
> > the actual merger of the armed forces of both countries.
> > If Argentina accepts the proposal, Brazil intends to use it as a
> > cornerstone to build a larger regional defense alliance, with the objective
> > of establishing a permanent demilitarized zone in South America, Clarin
> > reports. If enough countries sign on to such a plan, it could mean that no
> > military forces from outside the region would be allowed permanent station
> > in most of South America.
> > The Brazilian proposal also would commit Argentina, and any other countries
> > in the region that buy into it, to respect the principles of national
> > sovereignty and non-interventionism in the internal affairs of other
> > nations. In essence, any participating country would be off limits to
> > extra-regional forces. This would suit Brazil's needs perfectly.
> >
> > http://www.stratfor.com/fib/fib_print.php?ID=206245




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