Cablegate: Brazil: Oas Manpads Resolution

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 000769

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL MASS ETTC BR OAS
SUBJECT: BRAZIL: OAS MANPADS RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 50192

Classified By: Political Counselor Dennis Hearne, Reasons 1.4 (b
& d)

1. (C) Ministry of External Relations (MRE) Chief of
Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies, Santiago Mourao,
acknowledged that while he still believed the OAS is not an
appropriate forum for a stand-alone MANPADS resolution,
others obviously felt that it is appropriate. As a result of
active interest from other countries, Brazil would certainly
participate in working towards a consensus resolution, he
said.

2. (C) As anticipated by reftel, Mourao responded to
talking points by outlining the GOB's difficulties with the
proposed MANPADS resolution. The GOB has no problem with
keeping such weapons out of the hands of terrorists, he
noted, but it is concerned with protecting the interests of
Brazil's military. Mourao appreciated receipt of the USG
points, and he assured poloff that Brazil would work towards
an acceptable final document.

3. (C) Comment: Generally, Mourao's ability to articulate
the GOB position on weapons or non-proliferation issues is
excellent. This time, however, his explanation regarding the
MANPADS issue -- that the GOB is just looking out for its
military and is very concerned with the disposal of older
MANPADS -- fell flat. Having lost on the question whether
ultimately there would or would not be an OAS MANPADS
resolution, the GOB, we suspect, in order to keep face, will
insist on relatively minor changes to the resolution. Mourao
appears to understand the resolution does not seek to ban
MANPADS and would not unilaterally "disarm" the Brazilian
military. However, based on his non-verbal communication, we
suspect some internal GOB debate on MANPADS may be blocking
more positive Brazilian engagement. (Note: We will also
provide reftel to MRE's OAS Division, but the issue is
substantively handled by Mourao's division. End note)

Danilovich

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