BRAZILIAN TEXT FOR U.S.- BRAZIL IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000708 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLS PASS TO HHS/ADIAZ STATE FOR OES/IHA/KBLISS STATE FOR OES/STC/PMEEKS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KSCA SUBJECT: BRAZILIAN TEXT FOR U.S.- BRAZIL IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT ON HEALTH ¶1. This is an action request (please see paragraph 4). ¶2. Post is aware that Brazil's former Minister of Health, Jose Saraiva Felipe, met with several officials from HHS, the Department, CDC and NIH in February. One of the topics presented by the Brazilians was the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Brazilian Ministry of Health and HHS which expired in December 2003. Post understands that there was agreement in principle to formalize the joint efforts but that HHS would consult with other U.S. Government entities prior to making a commitment. ¶3. During our last visit to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, it was mentioned informally that Brazilian Ministry of Health officials attending the upcoming April 24 - 25, 2006, U.S.-Brazil Science and Technology (S&T) meetings, might come with draft text in hand for what they refer to as an "implementing arrangement." ¶4. ACTION: Post requests guidance on how to respond if asked by the Foreign Ministry whether the U.S. delegation has agreed to negotiate a new agreement, and if we will be prepared to discuss it during the previously mentioned April meetings. CHICOLA