Washington, April 08: The United States and Brazil may sign a new agreement as early as Monday meant to bolster military ties, despite tensions over Iran and signs a U.S. firm might lose a major Brazilian defense contract.
Pentagon officials acknowledged on Wednesday a new defense cooperation agreement with Brazil was being worked on and could be signed as early as next week. Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said he hoped it could happen on Monday.
“I’m trying to agree with Secretary Gates to sign this accord in Washington on Monday,” Jobim said in Brasilia, referring to U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
A diplomatic source familiar with the document described the accord as partly symbolic. Jobim said it was an umbrella agreement meant to facilitate future defense negotiations.
Still, it would be the first of its kind in more than 30 years, taking the place of an agreement that Brazil’s then-military dictatorship withdrew from in 1977, said the diplomatic source, who declined to be identified.
Brazil has rejected U.S. calls to back a new round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to visit Tehran in May.
Brazil’s government has also sent out signals it may pass over U.S-based Boeing Co in a multibillion-dollar fighter jet competition. U.S. officials have said the contract could bring both nations’ militaries closer together.
AUTONOMY
Jobim told a congressional hearing on Wednesday that Brazil’s air force preferred France’s Rafale jet, even though it cost more than Boeing’s Super Hornet.
France was the only country that could meet Brazil’s requirements for a generous technology transfer offer and local assembly as part of any deal, he said.
“What is worth more to Brazil? To pay more and have autonomy or pay less and have no technological autonomy?” he asked legislators.
Brazil aims to buy 36 jets worth more than $4 billion, which are to be assembled locally. The deal could eventually rise to more than 100 aircraft.
Last year, a U.S. agreement with Colombia allowing U.S. troops greater access to Colombian bases raised eyebrows in Latin America. It prompted an outcry from neighboring Venezuela, where President Hugo Chavez said it was part of a plot for invasion.
The latest agreement would not allow the United States to build a military base in Brazil, despite speculation in South American media about that possibility, the diplomatic source said.
“There is no provision for special access to installations … there is no provision of building new installations,” said the source.
The diplomatic source said the accord would contain a clause guaranteeing respect for each nation’s sovereignty and “territorial integrity,” as well as nonintervention in internal matters.
Despite not having an umbrella agreement in place since 1977, the U.S. and Brazilian militaries have signed other defense agreements related to specific areas of cooperation, including a 2000 accord on the provision of U.S. defense materials, the source said.
–Agencies