By Xinhua
Rio De Janeiro : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said in Brasilia that the country’s border with Colombia must not be a “hiding place” for members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The FARC is Colombia’s largest leftist insurgency group.
“The borders must not be used as hiding places for terrorists that will later on kill innocent civilians,” said Rice at a press conference after talks with Brazil’s president and foreign minister.
The top US diplomat praised Brazil and other South American countries for their efforts to resolve the diplomatic crisis triggered by Colombia’s intrusion into Ecuador to attack FARC rebels.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suggested the creation of a mechanism to solve diplomatic impasses in South America.
Rice said the US supports regional cooperation, stressing that she trusted in “Brazil’s leadership” in the region.
In addition, Rice said the US supports reforms to the UN Security Council, as it has been the same since 1945, and “the world has changed a lot” over that period.
She highlighted the Brazilian military mission as UN peacekeepers in Haiti, but did not made any specific comment on the country’s intention to run for a permanent seat at the council.
During her visit to Brazil, Rice signed a cooperation agreement against racial discrimination, which creates a workgroup comprising members from both countries.
On Friday, Rice is to leave for Chile to meet Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.