BRAZIL: OAS MANPADS RESOLUTION

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