However, there is a broader objective behind Brazil's new initiative to establish defense pacts, not only with Guyana, but with all the South American nations.
In mid-March Jobim informed the foreign affairs committee of the Brazilian Congress of his impending visits to South American countries to address regional security issues and discuss the Brazilian initiative for the creation of a South American "security council".
The minister explained in greater detail the objectives behind the proposed South American security council – which he stressed would not be a military alliance – when he addressed the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies on March 21 last. There he stated:
- "This council would contribute to creating a South American defense identity. It's obvious that South American identity will take into account, of course, the three main areas: the Amazon, the Andean and the Rio de la Plata areas, and this concept would be based on common principles: respecting sovereignty, self-determination, territorial integrity of the states, and non-intervention in internal affairs. . . .
- "This council could have – and Brazil's proposal is in that line – the following attributions: articulate measures of increasing security trust in South America, including common defense politics; . . . preparation and training of the military all over the Americas; military exercises – joint military exercises; joint participation in peacekeeping operations of the UN; integration of industrial bases of defense; joint analysis of aspects of the national and regional and sub-regional situations in the areas of security and defense as well as the possibility of coordinated action when we face risks and threats to the security of states; and articulation and coordination of positions in multilateral forums on security and defense. . ."
Through the South American security council, he intimated the continent will have a forum "to debate its issues, including humanitarian actions that should take place, coordinated by the council itself." Such debates will then result in "concrete actions that might lead to development and peace in the region, essentially taking into account that freedom coincides very much with economic development."
The idea of a South American security council – a South American version of NATO – was first proposed by Brazilian President Lula da Silva with strong support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after the Colombia-Ecuador diplomatic crisis at the beginning of March stoked tensions across much of the Andean region. The resolution to the crisis through the intervention of Latin American leaders was widely hailed as a significant achievement for Latin American diplomacy.
Lula and Chavez advanced their discussions on this proposed security alliance when they met in Brasilia on March 28. Clearly, both Brazil and Venezuela feel that the proposed council can serve as a forum where matter of defense and security will be discussed, especially when political differences between countries lead to crisis situations. It is also viewed as a mechanism to ensure protection of the region's natural resources in the light of the rapidly rising commodity prices worldwide.
During his visit to Caracas on April 14 to further discuss the proposal, Jobim said that South America, while not engaged in an arms race, has a right to strengthen its armed forces since the region should have military power to strengthen its position internationally.
This assurance of non-involvement in an arms race can go a long way in reassuring the region's citizens that financial resources will not be diverted away from social projects and especially food supplies at a time when prices are rising rapidly across the globe. There is also the persistent worry that increased military spending can divert resources from the regional fight against poverty and inequality.
Already, there is a prevailing opinion that too much is being spent on the military in the region. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which analyses arms expenditures worldwide, Venezuela increased its military spending to $1.92 billion in 2006, an increase of 67 percent over the 2003 figure. Brazil, on the other hand, spent an estimated $13.5 billion in 2006, an increase of 13 percent when compared to its military expenditure in 2003. And Colombia, involved in a civil war against Marxist rebels, has a modern US-supported military and its arms budget, as a proportion of GDP, is even larger than the military expenditure of either of its two large neighbors.
As expected, the proposed South American security alliance has raised some apprehensions in Washington since it will be a pact that excludes any involvement of the United States. On the other hand, media analysts on defense and security issues feel that these concerns are unfounded, noting that if the US attempts to inject its influence such action may result in undermining Brazil's leadership in the process and pushing the alliance to take anti-American positions.
Undoubtedly, Brazil possesses real military clout in the region. Its military tradition bears significant influence in the body politic, its military-industrial complex is well established with the region's largest arms and ammunition industry in the region, and for decades it has provided service for military forces on the continent. The Bolivian army, for example, uses Brazilian vehicles, parts and service, while the Colombian Air Force utilizes the Brazilian-built Super Tucano jets in its war against the FARC guerrillas.
The summit of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), convening in Brazil on May 23, will no doubt discuss in detail the proposal for this security alliance. In the end, the leaders of the continental bloc are expected to approve its establishment after their defense ministers agree on its terms of reference. Whatever is decided, even if it is not in totality with the objectives laid out by the Brazilian defense minister, it is clear that UNASUR will firmly advance itself as a major player on the international stage.
Dr. Odeen Ishmaei
embguy@cantv.net
(The writer is Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela. The views expressed are solely those of the writer.)
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