BRAZIL: ENHANCING COOPERATION WITH BRAZIL IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 001577 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL BR AO MZ SUBJECT: BRAZIL: ENHANCING COOPERATION WITH BRAZIL IN LUSOPHONE AFRICA REF: A. STATE 102443 ¶B. BRASILIA 1199 ¶C. PRAIA 268 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On June 6, Brazilian Ministry of External Relations (MRE) Africa Division Chief Joao Ignacio Padilha and poloff discussed a number of joint USG/GOB coordination projects in Lusophone Africa. Poloff and Padilha also talked about assistance projects that NGOs and other Brazilian organizations provide to Lusophone Africa and discussed the strong economic ties between Cape Verde and northeastern Brazil. End Summary. The GOB's Proposal for Joint Cooperation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During a June 6 meeting, Padilha told poloff that the GOB is interested in coordinating a number of development assistance projects in Guinea Bissau and other Lusophone African countries with the USG. The GOB is aware of USG development assistance programs worldwide, and Padilha expressed the GOB's interest in working with us to implement our existing projects in Latin America and Africa to Guinea Bissau to begin these projects quickly. ¶3. (SBU) In Guinea Bissau, the GOB is interested in working with us to implement a USG assistance program currently underway in Senegal, Mauritania, and Niger to alleviate the effects of last year's plague of locusts. Padilha noted that the GOB provided crop duster airplanes, technical assistance, and training to Senegalese government officials and aviation specialists, and believes that the GOB could provide similar assistance to Guinea Bissau. Padilha also expressed interest in a USG project that promotes government transparency and good governance in Nicaragua, Peru, Georgia, and Nigeria, and asked if the USG and the GOB could implement this program in Guinea Bissau. ¶4. (SBU) Padilha reported that the GOB is interested in coordinating a congressional reform and political institution building project in Guinea Bissau. He noted that the USG has implemented a similar project in a number of foreign countries and thought that the USG and GOB would be successful in this area. Brazilian NGOs and Institutions in Lusophone Africa -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) There are a number of Brazilian organizations and NGOs in Guinea Bissau and other Lusophone African countries that provide development assistance to local institutions. --The Brazilian Agency for Cooperation (ABC): According to Padilha, ABC is implementing rice cultivation, professional development, and AIDS awareness and prevention programs in Guinea Bissau. Padilha told PolOff that the USG could collaborate with ABC on these projects. --The India, Brazil, and South Africa Dialogue (IBSA): The first project of the IBSA fund, approximately $550K, will promote agricultural development and sustainable farming and rice cultivation techniques (ref B). Padilha told PolOff that the USG is welcome to participate in this project once the preliminary work has been completed. --IPEA: The Institute for Applied Economic Research at the Brazilian Ministry of Planning, Budget, and Administration is developing a government transparency and financial responsibility program for Lusophone Africa. Other Brazilian organizations such as the Brazilian Institute for Municipal Administration, the Getulio Vargas Foundation, and the Superior School for Farm Administration provide development assistance and work to strengthen local infrastructures in Lusophone Africa. --Ceara state government: The Ceara state government, located in northeastern Brazil, has developed strong economic and cultural ties with Cape Verde (ref C). A popular non-stop commercial flight between Fortaleza, Ceara and Ilha do Sal in Guinea Bissau has created strong economic ties between the two countries. Since the non-stop flight began in 2001, Fortaleza has become one of the preferred travel destinations for Cape Verdians, including many micro-entrepreneurs who purchase clothing and household goods in bulk to resell in Cape Verde. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The GOB expressed interest in working with us to provide development assistance to Guinea Bissau and Lusophone Africa. There are a number of Brazilian NGO and government officials active in Lusaphone Africa, and the USG would benefit from their expertise. Padilha's suggestion to implement already existing USG assistance projects in Guinea Bissau could reduce project development and implementation stages and would allow us to implement our projects quickly. DANILOVICH