BRAZIL'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON BUREC'S PROAGUA

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000452 SIPDIS SIPDIS OES/STC FOR PMEEKS DEPT OF INTERIOR PASS TO BUREAU OF RECLAMATION/INTL AFFAIRS GROUP FOR RIVES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSCA KTIA EAGR SENV PREL BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON BUREC'S PROAGUA ACTIVITIES IN BRAZIL MIGHT RELATE TO A COURT CASE ¶1. On February 23, 2006, Embassy Brasilia's Science Section received a diplomatic note dated January 25, 2006. In the note, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency Division of the United States and Canada forwards an inquiry regarding the Bureau of Reclamation's activities on the PROAGUA-Semi-Arido Program. An informal translation of the note follows: Begin text: "DIP NOTE ABC/DEUC/006/ETEC BRAS-EUA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to transmit a request from the Ministry of National Integration to the Bureau of Reclamation to provide corroborative documentation and information to that Brazilian entity, of expenses incurred during the project entitled "Programa Nacional de Irrigacao(PRONI)" (National Irrigation Program),subsequently called "Programa de Desenvolvimento Sustentavel de Recursos Hidricos para o Semi-Arido Brasileiro (PROAGUA)" (Sustainable Development Water Resources Program). This request is made in conformance with article V, clause 9 of the "Ajuste Complementar ao Acordo Basico de Cooperacao Tecnica para Cooperacao na Area de Irrigacao" (Complementary Agreement for Technical Cooperation in the Area of Irrigation), signed on November 6, 1986, and the contract's dispositions signed by the parties on April 4, 2002. Per the request of the Ministry of National Integration this Ministry is attaching a sample of the chart "Relacoes dos Documentos de Despesas" (List of Expenses) to be filled out by the United States entity. Such steps would provide the necessary conditions for the Brazilian entity to undertake an analysis of internal accounts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would appreciate it if efforts were made to comply with the request in question. Brasilia, January 25, 2006." ¶2. Upon calling the GOB to clarify the specifics of the dip note, Post learned that the requested information may be part of a court case. Post has ceased all communications with the GOB on this issue, and will await guidance from the Bureau of Reclamation as to possible next steps. LINEHAN