Brazil Adding 13,000 Troops, 28 Forts To Defend Rainforest

Brazil plans to double the number of troops along the borders of its vast Amazon rain forest area in the framework of the "Protecting Amazon" project, reported O Estado de Sao Paulo" this weekend. Defence Minister Nelson Jobim said the government will increase the number of troops in the Amazon from 17,000 to 30,000 and build 28 new forts on Indian land and conservation areas of the world's largest rain forest. According to the newspaper report the project is an initiative from President Lula da Silva, which besides increasing presence and patrolling it is geared to change the focus from "live frontiers" to "military vigilance cells", which means military staff will move into the area with their families. (link)