Brasília, 9/19/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Defense, José Viegas, reports that negotiations are underway for Brazil to host a UN - Farc (the Colombian guerrilla movement) - Colombian government meeting. According to Viegas, Brazil will not mediate but will just provide a location for the meeting.

With regard to the possibility of Brazil sending troops to Iraq, Viegas revealed that the country has been asked about the matter but he said the chances were "highly improbable" that Brazilian boots would hit the ground in Iraq. (AB)