VZCZCXRO7184
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #0253 0571104
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261104Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1056
INFO RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 1632
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 5813
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 7714
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000253
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/SAT D.MURR AND R.FORD
STATE PASS TO NASA FOR M.MOORE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSCA TSPA TSPL BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL: EXTENSION OF FRAMEWORK SPACE COOPERATION AGREEMENT;
UPDATE ON ISS SUSPENSION
REFTEL: STATE 14945
1. (U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
EXTENSION OF FRAMEWORK SPACE COOPERATION AGREEMENT
2. (SBU) Per REFTEL, Post delivered a diplomatic note to the
Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) regarding the extension
of the Space Cooperation Agreement on February 25, 2008.
3. (SBU) On February 22, 2008, ESTH Counselor briefed the Head of
the Ministry of External Relations' (MRE) Division of Maritime,
Antarctic and Space Affairs, Bernardo Velloso, of this decision to
be willing to extend the agreement. Velloso was very pleased with
this development. He also recognized that this extension would give
both sides time to negotiate revisions to the agreement.
ISS SUSPENSION UPDATE
4. (SBU) On a related subject, Velloso said that he expected soon
to be able to send the USG a response to the diplomatic note
delivered on May 24, 2007, which expressed the USG's intention to
suspend the Implementing Arrangement concerning the design and
construction of the International Space Station (ISS). He said that
he expected the MRE's lawyers to complete their work shortly and he
would then send the corresponding reply diplomatic note, which would
cause the suspension to enter into effect. He did not foresee any
substantive or technical reasons why the note should be delayed much
longer.
5. (SBU) COMMENT. Although on the surface the matters are not
directly linked together, we believe that the agreement to extend
the Framework Agreement should help to expedite the Brazilian side
responding to the ISS suspension diplomatic note. Further, Vellos
understands that the USG has an option to exercise its right to
terminate - rather than just suspend - the ISS agreement if this
matter drags on too long. END COMMENT.
SOBEL