CONFIDENCE- AND SECURITY- BUILDING MEASURES
II CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF DEFENSE OF THE AMERICAS
SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE DECLARATION
The Second Defense
Ministerial of the Americas took place in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, October 7th
- 9 th, 1996 at the invitation of Mr. Jorge Dominguez, Minister of Defense of Argentina on
behalf of his Government.
During this meeting,
Delegations discussed the full range of security concerns and interests of the
participating states. Opening statements and these discussions covered issues such as
confidence building measures, cooperation in peacekeeping, the impact of crime and drugs
on security, the threat posed by the illegal trade in arms and the impact of economic
issues on security.
They noted that in
view of the far reaching political, social and economic challenges faced by their nations
that defense organizations are essential institutions of sovereign states.
In the course of their
discussion they :
Recalled that the "Santiago
Commitment to Democracy and the Renewal of the Interamerican System", adopted by the
Organization of the American States General Assembly in Santiago de Chile, in 1991 and the
Conference held in Williamsburg,VA, USA, in July 1995, emphasized that representative
democracy is a fundamental element for hemispheric security.
Stressed the need to deepen
inter-American cooperation for the maintenance of peace and the strengthening of
hemispheric security, preserving the sovereignty of each state as recognized by
international law, and in particular by the United Nations and OAS Charters.
Noting the "Santiago
Declaration on Confidence and Security Building Measures" adopted by the OAS in
November 1995, considered that confidence building measures are appropiate tools, for
maintaining peace since they contribute to a better relationship between countries
fostering improved levels of transparency, cooperation and information exchange on defense
and hemispheric security issues'.
Called upon all the nations of the
Hemisphere to promote through their active and voluntary participation, the success of
peacekeeping operations in conformity with the UN Charter.
Took note of the initiatives
proposed in this Conference and of the conclusions of the Working Groups.
The delegations congratulated and
thanked the Government and People of the Republic of Argentina for their warm hospitality
and for their successful organization and management of the Second Defense Ministerial of
the Americas.

|