Rumsfeld Seeks Strengthening Of U.S.-Latin American Ties

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, March 22, 2005 – Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrived here at the Argentine capital city March 21, kicking off a four-day Latin-American trip.

The secretary will seek to strengthen the U.S. bilateral defense relationship with Argentina, according to senior defense officials, as well as solidify relationships with Brazil and Guatemala, which Rumsfeld is also slated to visit between now and March 24.

Rumsfeld told traveling press members en route to Argentina that the United States takes a keen interest in the goings-on throughout the Western Hemisphere and has “good military-to-military relationships” with Argentina, Brazil and Guatemala.

These three nations are important defense partners of the United States, Rumsfeld said, noting all have peacekeeping troops in Haiti with the Brazilian-led stabilization force. Today, he is slated to meet with Argentine Minister of Defense Jose Pampuro and other top officials.

Rumsfeld met the Argentinean, Brazilian and Guatemalan defense ministers last year at Quito, Ecuador, during the Defense Ministerial of the Americas. During remarks he made at that ministerial on Nov. 17, Rumsfeld noted “much work” needed to be accomplished to better secure the Western Hemisphere against terrorists and narcotics traffickers.

“The new threats of the 21st century recognize no borders,” Rumsfeld told ministerial attendees at Quito.

DOD Photo essay; link is http://www.dod.gov/home/photoessays/2005-03/p20050322a1.html

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld meets with U.S. Air Force Col. Bill Dalson, defense attaché, at the airport in Buenos Aries, Argentina on March 21, 2005. Rumsfeld is traveling to Latin America to meet with key government officials and to strengthen bilateral ties with Argentina. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrives at the airport in Buenos Aries, Argentina on March 21, 2005. Rumsfeld is traveling to Latin America to meet with key government officials and to strengthen bilateral ties with Argentina. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld talks with members of the traveling press onboard an E-4B National Airborne Operations Center en route to Buenos Aries, Argentina on March 21, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld talks with members of the traveling press onboard an E-4B National Airborne Operations Center en route for Buenos Aries, Argentina, on March 21, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby

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