DATE=10/17/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=Latam / Defense (L-only)

NUMBER=2-268076

BYLINE=Bill Rodgers

DATELINE=Rio de Janeiro

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso says his nation backs Colombia's struggle against drug trafficking. Speaking at the Tuesday's opening of a meeting of hemispheric defense chiefs in the Brazilian city of Manaus, Mr. Cardoso also calls the fight against organized crime a major challenge for the hemisphere. V-O-A's Bill Rodgers reports from Rio de Janeiro.

TEXT: Defense chiefs from 26 nations in the Americas are meeting in Manaus on the Amazon river to discuss hemispheric defense issues and increased cooperation.

The continuing guerrilla war in Colombia is not on the official agenda. Neither is Plan Colombia, the multi-billion dollar anti-drug program backed by the United States. However, Defense chiefs, including U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen, are expected to discuss the Colombian situation during their closed door meetings.

At Tuesday's opening of the conference, Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso did not specifically mention Plan Colombia. He did, however, express support for Colombian President Andres Pastrana's effort to combat drug production and trafficking, calling these illicit activities a common scourge for the hemisphere.

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Brazil considers it fundamental that this threat be faced with the weapons of democracy, with the full respect of public liberties and human rights, othewise the fight against organized crime loses its legitimacy. And it is with this democratic conviction that President Andres Pastrana is seeking the pacification of Colombia, and for this he deserves our firm support as our understanding of his efforts to fight against drug trafficking increases.

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Brazil has refrained from openly endorsing all aspects of Plan Colombia, which contains a strong military component aimed at depriving leftist guerrillas of income from the drug trade. Brazilian officials have expressed concern over a possible spill-over effect across its common border with Colombia if fighting increases between Colombian troops and rebels.

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In his speech, Mr. Cardoso did not directly refer the possibility of increased fighting in Colombia, but did stress the need to resolve problems peacefully without the use of force.

/// CARDOSO PORTUGUESE ACT WITH ENGLISH VOICEOVER ///

A common principle shared by our nations is the pledge to resolve controversies peacefully and through negotiations, and opposition to the use of force or threat of its use against any state. The nations of South America are proud of this pledge ... and it is our intention to keep South America one of the least militarized regions in the planet.

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This is the fourth meeting of hemispheric defense chiefs since they began the gatherings in 1995. One of the original aims of these meetings was to find ways to strengthen relations between the civilian institutions and the military in a hemisphere where -- during the 1960's, 70's and 80's -- many nations were ruled by authoritarian military regimes. This will again be one of the themes discussed at this year's conference in Manaus, along with discussions focusing on regional security and defense. The Defense Chiefs conference ends later this week. (Signed)

NEB/WFR/JP