DATE=9/18/98
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-41405 (CQ)
TITLE=AMAZON SURVEILLANCE
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: BRAZIL IS BUILDING AN AMBITIOUS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TO
PROTECT AND DEVELOP THE VAST NATURE REGION KNOWN AS THE AMAZON --
AN AREA LARGER THAN HALF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.
CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN ON THE
DRAWING BOARD FOR A LONG TIME, BUT ONLY NOW IS BECOMING A
REALITY.
TEXT: THE AMAZON SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM -- KNOWN AS SIVAM FROM ITS
INITIALS IN PORTUGUESE -- WAS PROPOSED IN 1990, BUT BECAME BOGGED
DOWN IN DEBATE OVER ITS NECESSITY AND FEASIBILITY. IT WAS
FURTHER DELAYED BY ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN SELECTING THE
MAIN CONTRACTOR, THE U-S FIRM RAYTHEON. AFTER EXTENSIVE AUDIT, A
COURT RULED THAT THE CONTRACT IS IN ORDER.
AIR FORCE COLONEL TEOMAR QUIRINO, AN OFFICIAL OF THE SIVAM
PROJECT, SAYS THE VENTURE STARTED WITH THE MILITARY, BUT MANY
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH PROGRAMS IN THE AMAZON ARE NOW INVOLVED,
INCLUDING: THE WEATHER SERVICE, THE INDIAN FOUNDATION, THE
ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE, AND THE FEDERAL POLICE.
/// FIRST QUIRINO ACT ///
ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT IS TO ASSURE THE CONTROL OF
THE AIR SPACE. WE ARE GOING TO INSTALL SOME RADARS TO CONTROL ALL
OF THE AIR TRAFFIC IN THE REGION, BUT ALSO A LOT OF OTHER
EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.
/// END ACT ///
COLONEL QUIRINO SAYS SIVAM WILL HAVE 19 FIXED RADARS AND SIX
AIRBORNE RADARS CAPABLE OF DETECTING EVEN LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT,
WHICH COULD BE INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING OR ILLEGAL
PROSPECTING ON INDIAN LANDS.
COLONEL QUIRINO SAYS THE DATA BASE ACCUMULATED BY SIVAM FROM
RADAR, SATELLITE PHOTOS, AND GROUND OBSERVATION WILL BE FED AND
ACCESSED FROM 940 COMPUTER TERMINALS AROUND THE REGION. HE SAYS
THIS WILL LET AGENCIES KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHAT EACH OTHER IS DOING
AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN IN
PLACE THIS YEAR, IT WOULD HAVE PERMITTED MORE RAPID RESPONSE TO
THE FIRES THAT RAGED OUT OF CONTROL IN BRAZIL'S NORTHERN STATE OF
RORAIMA BEFORE THEY WERE FINALLY QUENCHED BY RAIN.
COLONEL QUIRINO SAYS EQUIPMENT FOR SIVAM IS NOW BEING BUILT IN
THE UNITED STATES.
/// SECOND QUIRINO ACT ///
THE CONTRACT STARTED LAST YEAR, AND THE CIVIL WORKS WILL START
AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. THE FIRST CENTER, AT MANAUS, WILL
BE OPERATIONAL IN 1999, AND THE SYSTEM WILL BE COMPLETE BY 2002.
/// END ACT ///
SIVAM IS EXPECTED TO COST ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS, MOSTLY
FINANCED BY A LOAN FROM THE U-S EXPORT / IMPORT BANK.
THE BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS STILL WIDESPREAD
PUBLIC DISTRUST OF SIVAM, DUE TO THE DELAYS AND PERCEPTIONS OF
CORRUPTION. BUT PROJECT OFFICIALS ARE CONFIDENT THAT ONCE SIVAM
IS OPERATIONAL IT WILL PROVE ITS WORTH BY PROTECTING THE AMAZON
AND PROMOTING ITS RATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/JO
18-Sep-98 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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