IAEA COMPREHENSIVE SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENTS AND

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000122 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP TRGY PREL BR IAEA SUBJECT: IAEA COMPREHENSIVE SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL REF: STATE 268619 ¶1. (SBU) Ministry of External Relations (MRE) Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies (DDS) Division Chief Santiago Mourao confirmed that reftel letter regarding IAEA comprehensive safeguards and the Additional Protocol was provided to Foreign Minister Amorin in December. Mourao acknowledged that the G-8 letter contained "positive elements" including an offer of assistance in negotiating with the IAEA. While the GOB recognized the complexity of any discussions with the IAEA, the DDS chief, however, was doubtful such help would be requested. ¶2. (SBU) Mourao reconfirmed Brazil's stated position on the AP: it was not against the Additional Protocol but is proceeding deliberately in assessing the impact of the AP on Brazilian enterprises and likely will only resume discussions on it with the IAEA following the NPT revcon. He added the GOB is not prepared to offer any AP-related "gesture" before the May conference. However, Mourao did point to a new bureaucratic development that will jump-start the GOB's inter-ministerial AP review process. Led by the National Commission on Energy, an inter-agency review panel is being set up which, Mourao said, would review the AP and prepare Brazil's position vis a vis the IAEA. Mourao or his deputy will likely chair the panel. Chicola