Rio, March 8, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Violence along the borders of Latin American countries is the main theme of the international conference "Transformations in Multilateral Security Arrangements: Latin American Perspectives," which is being held at the Copacabana Excelsior Hotel, in the south zone.

One of the speakers, Bernardo Sorj, from the non-governmental organization Viva Rio Movement, said that border violence requires a redefinition in the relations among public safety and national defense agencies and the role of domestic and foreign intelligence services, as well as instruments of cooperation between the armed forces and the police. He also said that organized crime activities in certain border regions demand more and more integration between the armed forces and the police, without this implying that the armed forces should assume police functions in urban areas.

The seminary ends tomorrow (9). (DAS)