Brazilian president vows to boost Antarctica operations during visit
Brazil intends to increase its operations in Antarctica, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Sunday after visiting the region with his wife, son and several government officials.
By Agencies |
SANTIAGO: Brazil intends to increase its operations in Antarctica, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Sunday after visiting the region with his wife, son and several government officials.
``We are going to have to expand our presence here with more investments and laboratory ships,'' Silva told reporters covering his trip, which was postponed 24 hours by bad weather. ``We will also have to improve the base and bring in more researchers.''
Silva visited his country's Commandante Ferraz Antarctic base, which is marking its 25th anniversary. Brazilian scientists there conduct meteorological, oceanographic and biological studies, as well as research involving nuclear geophysics and geomagnetism.
He also made stops at the Brazil Antarctic Program's main support vessel, the ``Ary Rongel,'' and at Chile's Eduardo Frei base.
Presidential spokesman Acir Pimenta Madeira said bad weather also delayed Silva's return flight late on Sunday to Punta Arenas, Chile's southernmost city, from where he was to continue on to Brazil.
Some 28 nations operate seasonal and permanent research stations on Antarctica and nearby islands. No single nation has control over any section of the continent, which is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System and designated as a natural reserve dedicated to peace and science.
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President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Brazil's South American neighbor, recently expressed interest in establishing that country's first base on Antarctica. Download
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