Tabatinga, 6/27/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil and Columbia could be fighting narcotraffic together along their borders in the Amazon region, says minister of Defense, Jose Viegas, who met with the Columbian minister of Defense, Martha Lucia Ramires, this weekend. The meeting took place in the western Amazon town of Tabatinga, 1,100 kilometers from Manaus.

The two ministers observed exercises involving river landings and parachute jumps as part of Operation Timbó - a joint Brazilian Army, Air Force, Navy operation, which is taking place near the Brazilian border with Columbia and Peru. The operation began on June 23, and involves 4,000 men at a cost of some R$10 million.

According to minister Viegas, contact and communication channels between the military commands of Brazil and Columbia are essential for the security of the Amazon region. (AB)