BRAZIL READY TO CONSTRUCTIVELY DISCUSS SUPPLY ASSURANCES

UNCLAS BRASILIA 002185

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

PLEASE PASS TO IO, IO/T, ISN/NESS Richard J.K. Stratford; and
DOE/MNSA Adam Scheinman, Richard Goorevich, and Melissa Krupa

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ENRG IAEA KNNP TRGY BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL READY TO CONSTRUCTIVELY DISCUSS SUPPLY ASSURANCES

REF: UNVIE VIEN 641

This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly. Not for internet distribution.


1. (SBU) On November 7, 2007, per REFTEL ESTHOff met with the Deputy
Head of the Ministry of External Relations' Department of
Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies (DDS),Luis Galvao, to
discuss Brazilian views on supply assurances leading up to the visit
to Brazil by IAEA Director General, ElBaradei. Galvao said that
Brazil is ready to discuss supply assurances in a "constructive
manner" so long as its right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes is not hindered. Galvao emphasized that Brazil's position
does not fall in line with other countries who oppose the scheme,
such as Argentina.


2. (SBU) While Galvao was not able to clearly state that Brazil
supports or opposes current efforts on reliable access to nuclear
fuel, he indicated that the GOB is primarily keen to protect its
right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Thus, any
international initiative that may interrupt its enrichment
activities or disrupt the international market would affect its
position.


3. (SBU) Galvao added that the supply assurances scheme is
interesting to the GOB because as a nuclear fuel producer it would
be interested in becoming a regional supplier in the future. Given
their desire to possibly become a regional supplier, Galvao also
indicated that the GOB has a positive attitude toward the safety
net.

ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL


4. (SBU) With regard to the additional protocol Galvao said only
that the initiative is still under consideration by the GOB. He
explained that while there are those within the GOB who oppose the
additional protocol, there are also those that support it. Even so,
Galvao speculated that eventually the GOB would agree to the
additional protocol mainly because the GOB believes that an
implementation agreement could be tailored to address the GOB's
needs/concerns.

COMMENT


5. (SBU) The GOB consistently reiterates its position that it will
not support agreements/protocols, etc. that could in any way limit
its right to develop its nuclear energy program for peaceful
purposes. A major related question to its nuclear activities, and
one that may gain more prominence should the GOB seek to become a
regional supplier, is the GOB's plan, or lack thereof, to recycle
nuclear waste. Moreover, the GOB's reinvigoration of the
construction of its Angra III nuclear power facility (which was
stalled for many years due to lack of funding and congressional
support),recently renewed cooperation with India and South America,
and construction of a nuclear powered submarine (by 2015),may
bolster Brazil's current role as a leader in the developing world.
It may also lead to an expanded role in multilateral fora with
regard to non-proliferation and regulating peaceful uses of nuclear
energy. End Comment.

CHICOLA