Homeland Security

DATE=10/28/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=O-A-S / SECURITY (L-O)

NUMBER=2-309116

BYLINE=JAMES BLEARS

DATELINE=MEXICO CITY.

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Foreign ministers and senior officials from 34 Organization of American States countries -- meeting in Mexico City -- are poised to approve a new security plan for the Americas. James Blears in Mexico City reports.

TEXT: Mexican Ambassador Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas -- who is coordinating the event -- says conference delegates are proposing a concerted plan of action, which is intended to help everyone, but will not stifle the sovereignty of any nation.

The plan involves hemispheric cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug and migrant trafficking and organized crime and promoting cyber security.

Ambassador Ruiz-Cabañas says this a post-cold war security blueprint for the Americas:

// RUIZ-CABANAS ACTUALITY //

This agreement means that we have developed a road map for increased cooperation on security and defense matters. We are not dealing with international security. That is up to the United Nations. We are not dealing with security at the domestic level. That's precisely at the domestic level within each state. But there is a dimension between the two -- that national and international one. And, that is the hemispheric level. That's what we can do together in this hemisphere in favor of peace, stability, security and an increased sense of mutual confidence.////

// END ACTUALITY //

The document also focuses on health issues such as AIDS and H-I-V, environmental disasters and the region's deep-seated poverty problem.

The O-A-S General Commission has approved the draft document, which now goes to ministers for their consideration. (signed

NEB/JB/WD