Brazilian president signs bill to reorganize defense ministry
RIO DE JANEIRO. Augudt 26. KAZINFORM Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Wednesday signed a bill to reorganize the country's defense ministry, Brazil's official news agency reported, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
The bill would authorize more power to the ministry, add several ruling positions and create three secretariats which consist of 488 new positions.
These positions would cost the government a total of 18.9 million reais (10.73 million U.S. dollars) per year, the news agency said.
Lula said the new law would show Brazil's determination in strengthening its national defense.
"It is an important step to show our seriousness in defense issues," he said.
The reorganization was necessary to Brazil's new military structure, Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said, adding that it would better safeguard the country's sovereignty and give more power to police on the national frontiers, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhaunet.com