AMBASSADOR SOBEL'S MEETING WITH SAO PAULO MAYOR KASSAB

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 001130 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD KCRM BR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SOBEL'S MEETING WITH SAO PAULO MAYOR KASSAB REF: SAO PAULO 899 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA 3 DATA CHANGE, MILLION TO BILLION - TAKE NOTE) ¶1. Summary: Ambassador Sobel, accompanied by CG and poloff, met October 17 with Sao Paulo Mayor, Gilberto Kassab, and Municipal Secretary for International Relations, Helena Gasparian. The SIPDIS participants discussed ways for the U.S. and the city to work together on issues of common interest, including trade promotion and public security. End Summary. ¶2. The Ambassador stressed the importance of governments working closely with the private sector on social and economic issues. He advised the Mayor of our interest in promoting trade between the U.S and Brazil and in forming partnerships. He noted that a trade mission from New Jersey plans to visit Brazil in 2007, and urged the Mayor to think of specific areas for possible cooperation and to consider how the city could take advantage of this opportunity. ¶3. Mayor Kassab said the city faces many challenges. He had just sent to the City Council for approval, a budget of about USD 10 billion for a city of 11 million people. According to Kassab, the budget was simply too tight for the city to be able to make the necessary investment in transportation, education, and public health. In response to the Ambassador's comment, the Mayor also noted that the city has partnerships with NGOs and the private sector in the area of social assistance. He cited a new program being implemented whereby private entities can provide health care to needy citizens and be reimbursed. The Ambassador noted that he would be hosting a Corporate Social Responsibility roundtable on October 18, and suggested that perhaps at some point the Mayor could talk to some of the largest U.S. companies about priorities in supporting the city's efforts. ¶4. The Ambassador told the Mayor that he had recently met with Sao Paulo state Governor Claudio Lembo and Deputy Secretary for Public Security Marcelo de Oliveira (reftel) to discuss ways the U.S. might help the state address its problems with organized crime. The Ambassador wanted to know if there was any way the USG might be able to help the city. Kassab replied that responsibility for security belonged to the state, though in certain specific areas (e.g., security for public transportation) the city and state governments work together. Noting Governor Lembo's concern about drugs, the Ambassador said DEA Administrator Tandy would visit Sao Paulo; he proposed arranging a meeting for her with city and state officials together. Kassab welcomed this suggestion and indicated that such a meeting would be extremely useful for city officials involved in social issues, especially drug prevention. ¶5. In closing, the Mayor expressed appreciation for the Ambassador's interest in maintaining close relations with the city and said he looked forward to continuing the dialogue. ¶6. This cable was coordinated with Embassy Brasilia and cleared by Ambassador Sobel. MCMULLEN