Defence Co-operation pact to be signed
The Brazilian government on Friday presented a 16.9 KVA FG Wilson Generator valued at $2.4M to the Guyana Defence Force Jungle Amphibious Training School (JATS).
This donation came on the heels of another earlier this month when the Brazilian government handed over four computer systems with printers and other relevant accessories totalling $1.2M to the GDF.
In addition, the GDF’s new JATS Command Centre at Makouria was built and handed over by the Brazilian Armed Forces.
The GDF said in a release that the generator was presented to Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best by Brazilian Ambassador Arthur Meyers, who expressed pleasure at the presentation.
Meyers stated that when he visited the JATS facility he was impressed with the level of training being done there.
“The Amazon Region which our two countries share and in which we also share a common border, poses challenges when it comes to jungle warfare training. Brazil has lots of knowledge and experience in this area and we share it with all our neighbors including Guyana. It is with the understanding of the great challenges faced by the GDF and JATS that we present you with this equipment today,” he was quoted as saying.
He expressed hope that the generator would significantly enhance the operations at the JATS.
In receiving the gift, Commodore Best noted that this once again underscores the cooperation between Guyana and Brazil and more so the commitment of the Brazilian Armed Forces toward enabling the GDF to enhance its training capabilities.
“This gift will be most beneficial to JATS… We recognize that success depends on cooperation and in this regard the Brazilian government and people have committed to the GDF’s future success. We hope to forge deeper links and with the imminent signing of the Defence Cooperation Pact with Brazil, this will become a reality and our peoples will benefit from cultural and educational exchanges and sports training among other exposures,” he was quoted in the release as saying.
According to the release, he added, “We hope that we may be able to replicate similar measures of cooperation with the rest of our neighbours and in so doing, create a community of peace and stability…”
Accompanying the Ambassador was Military Attaché to the Brazilian Embassy in Georgetown, Colonel Eudes Carvalho Dos Santos.
Colonel General Staff, Colonel Mark Phillips; Commanding Officer Training Corps, Enoch Gaskin along with other senior Officers and ranks of the GDF were also present at the handing over ceremony at Base Camp Ayanganna.
