ARGENTINA EAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN U.S. GLOBAL

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002537

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR STAS DR. GEORGE ATKINSON
WHA FOR A/S SHANNON
ECA FOR A/S POWELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL SCUL OEXC OSCI
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA EAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN U.S. GLOBAL
SCIENCE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

REF: STATE 174678


1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified, and not for
Internet distribution.

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Summary
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2. (SBU) Argentine officials responded enthusiastically to
Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State Dr.
George Atkinson's proposed Global Science Partnerships
program (GSP21) during Atkinson's visit to Buenos Aires
November 7-9. Minister of Education, Science and Technology
Daniel Filmus described Argentina's participation as
potentially "very important," and the GOA's Secretary of
Science and Technology said Argentina was willing to support
the program financially. Embassy Buenos Aires suggests
harnessing the momentum generated by Atkinson's visit by
having the Department quickly select Argentina as a potential
GSP21 partner and initiate more formal partnership
discussions. End Summary.

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GOA on Board
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3. (U) Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of
State Dr. George Atkinson traveled to Argentina November 7-9
as part of the Global Dialogues on Science and Technology
framework of meetings (see septel for detailed report of
visit). Argentina was the third stop on a four-country tour
through South America (Peru, Chile, and Brazil were the
others) designed to allow Atkinson and his delegation of nine
to determine whether suitable candidates for the Department's
proposed GSP21 program exist in the region.


4. (SBU) GOA officials responded enthusiastically to
Atkinson's description of the GSP21 program. Minister of
Education, Science and Technology Filmus told Dr. Atkinson
and Ambassador Wayne that science and technology are among
President Nestor Kirchner's top priorities, and that
Argentina has traditionally had the region's highest levels
of S&T attainment. Filmus outlined the GOA's plans to spur
an increase in the number of Argentine scientists, and said
the GSP21 program could be a "very important" part of those
plans. Science and Technology Secretary Tulio Del Bono had
earlier offered a similar assessment, even giving Dr.
Atkinson a commitment that the GOA would be willing to
financially support GSP21. Both officials took pains to
point out Argentina's suitability as a GSP21 partner, and
indicated that they might have some modest resources
available.

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Comment
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5. (SBU) Argentina has a relatively strong scientific
tradition, and the Kirchner government has taken important
steps to promote S&T education and research. We also already
enjoy an excellent working-level scientific exchange, and
Argentina is one of only four countries in the region with
which the U.S. has signed an umbrella science and technology
cooperation agreement. Those conditions, coupled with the
GOA's marked enthusiasm for GSP21, make Argentina a natural
candidate for the program. We therefore encourage the
Department to select Argentina as a potential GSP21 partner
and to initiate more formal partnership discussions. That
decision should be taken quickly if the momentum from Dr.
Atkinson's visit is not to be lost.


6. (U) Dr. Atkinson did not clear this telegram before
leaving Buenos Aires.
WAYNE