New challenges arise
1. The Western Hemisphere. Its political-structural consolidation
The map of our hemisphere has remained practically unchanged since the beginning of the 20th century.
Taking into account changes at a world level, the 90's gave rise to
coincidences all over the Americas,
featuring the almost complete elimination of non-democratic governments, the strengthening of representative democracies, important integration processes, a progressive economic interrelationship. The economies in the hemisphere were subject to severe adjustment, based on privatizing efforts and government spending reduction.
Nowadays, shared conditions for the development of important
cooperation commercial bonds are increasing, though the imbalance of the globalization phenomenon causes gaps in the relative economic development of countries within this hemisphere.
Moreover, in certain cases, those gaps exist between sectors of their own societies.
But the stable political and
democratic situation has become the main common factor, while growing economic ties are a major contribution to
development and peace.
On the other hand, the Latin American component of the hemisphere, particularly South America, presents a firm structure based on common historical, cultural and linguistic ties.
On the other hand, geography has traditionally placed South America in a situation of strategic isolation. Major international actors have, to a certain degree, ignored it - a trend which regional integration processes have started to change.
I'ari ! The Strategic Scenario: An Arqeuiine View
Increasing dialog and stability
The early 90's led to ihe end of the most: significant conflicts, particularly in Central America where tinal peace agreements were signed thanks to the Contadora Process.
The new Latin American
democracies were united in this process and became accustomed to coordinating policies and setting up common
objectives. T h i s process also played an i m p o r t a n t role in achieving the present consensus. The Rio Group is the successor of the Contadora process, which now focuses on a wide range of issues.
A few years ago, the traditional border dispute between Peru and Ecuador
came to a head. However, common actions developed by the guarantors to the Rio Protocol (Argentina, Brazil. Chile and the US) allowed to put an end to the confrontation and, through a regional peacekeeping force (the MOMEP), prevented an armed conflict while political negotiations were being held on the root cause of the conflict. A final settlement was reached in f 998 with the signing of the Presidential Agreement of Brasilia.
Although there are other zones of unrest caused by domestic problems, at present the hemisphere enjoys a healthy stability and a climate of detente
compared to other parts of i h e world. The general enforcement of the Treat}' of Tlatelolco for the Prohibition of Nuclear
Argentine mid Chilean Navy units, during the first combined e\crcise of both Navies hi 1998.
2 1 1
Chapter 2 - The Hemispheric Dimension
Weapons in Latin America and the
Caribbean is an important contribution in this sense.
Another point worth mentioning is Latin America's low investment in
weapons - one of the lowest worldwide.
(See Table 24-2)
Public statements of some governments - such as Brazil and Argentina - affirming the settlement of previous conflict scenarios have also contributed to the present situation.
At the same time, the
strengthening of inter-American dialog and political ties have led to positive attitudes towards cooperation. Several agreements have been signed with the aim of preventing, in practice, the use of force to resolve disputes, even those including territorial issues, thus enhancing the transparency of technological
developments, especially in the nuclear sphere, prohibiting mass destruction weapons and reaching understandings of all natures. Our country has played an active role in these advances.
This outlook mitigates, at least in the hemisphere, the level of uncertainty caused by international affairs.
Confidence-building. The OAS Mission
The renewed interest of the whole hemisphere in providing common answers
to common security problems brought about the creation of several mechanisms geared to this purpose.
That interest also resulted in the creation of a specific forum, the OAS Commission on Hemispheric Security, which played a central role in the development of confidence-building measures through the Declarations of Santiago and El Salvador, in 1995 and
1998 respectively. These declarations were recommended for application by the countries of the region in their reciprocal relations.
These mechanisms, focused on confidence-building measures, contribute to the progressive and fast settlement of historical mistrust and fears, paving the way for a higher degree of dialog and negotiations both in bilateral and multilateral relations.
Towards cooperation in security issues
The global phenomenon of growing cooperation in search of
international peace and security, expressed in the United Nations Charter as the collective security concept, was
strengthened in this decade as a result of a strong change of direction in world
history.
Although the situation in this hemisphere is different from that in other
Part I - The Strategic Scenario: An Argentine View
areas, progress is being made towards the goal set in the OAS Charter. The Defense Ministerial of the Americas, after its first meeting in the US in 1995 proves this fact. The ensuing "Principles of
Williamsburg" were a valuable contribution in this sense. These Principles were endorsed and
complemented by the Declaration of Bariloche in the second meeting, held in our country in 1996, and by the
Declaration of Cartagena in the third meeting, held in Colombia in 1998.
The MOMEP (Military Observers Mission in Ecuador-Peru) is an example of this. Its legitimacy is based on an
instrument originated in the region - the Rio de Janeiro Protocol - and the forces
involved are exclusively from countries of the hemisphere.
The ongoing debate in several regional forums regarding Cooperative Security is an additional contribution, such security being understood as the joint anticipation and the prevention mechanisms implemented in the political, diplomatic and military sphere.
A major step, based on democratic Nations' shared interests, was taken in the // Summit of the Americas, held in April
1998 in Santiago de Chile. In this summit of heads of State and Government, the Commission on Hemispheric Security was asked to identify ways and means to
revitalize and strengthen the Inter-American System's security-related institutions in the hemisphere.
Argentina believes that this contex provides a good opportunity for
redesigning regional security mechanisms.