BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Defense ministers of South America, who are in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, for a meeting on regional security, agreed Tuesday on greater coordination among military intelligence organizations for an efficient combat against terrorism.

    In a declaration issued Tuesday, the ministers ruled out immediate involvement of armed forces in direct combat against terrorists, but they agreed that it is essential for them to participate in the collection and analysis of relevant information.

    Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Viegas said "terrorism is one of the most important problems in the world agenda," adding that it was not only a struggle of the armed forces, but also one of intelligence organizations.

    Chilean Defense Minister Michelle Bachelet also said "In our countries, the armed forces are not the first front in the fight against terrorism, but yes they can play supporting roles."

    Defense ministers from Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and vice defense minister of Ecuador attended the two-day meeting, which focused on regional security and certain military autonomy from the United States. Enditem