South America Moves Toward Military Integration

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/17/content_10517625.htm

UNASUR approves creation of S. American defense, health councilswww.chinaview.cn 2008-12-17 SAUIPE COAST, Brazil, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The extraordinary summit of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) approved Tuesday the creation of South American councils of defense and health. The creation of the South American Council of Defense was initiated by Brazil to integrate the armed forces of the region. Unasur members have approved the initiation in closed-door meetings in Sauipe Coast, a beach resort in northeast Brazil, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim told a press conference. "The council aims to have a common vision of the region's defense based on mutual trust and the emphasis is on cooperation, training and equipment issues," Amorim said. Regarding the creation of the South American Council of Health, Amorim said that it was proposed and ratified in a recent meeting in Rio de Janeiro. The aim of the health council is to promote common sanitary policies for all the countries of South America, Amorim said. UNASUR is composed of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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