BRAZIL: EXTENSION OF FRAMEWORK SPACE COOPERATION AGREEMENT;

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000253 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/SAT D.MURR AND R.FORD STATE PASS TO NASA FOR M.MOORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSCA TSPA TSPL BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL: EXTENSION OF FRAMEWORK SPACE COOPERATION AGREEMENT; UPDATE ON ISS SUSPENSION REFTEL: STATE 14945 ¶1. (U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. EXTENSION OF FRAMEWORK SPACE COOPERATION AGREEMENT ¶2. (SBU) Per REFTEL, Post delivered a diplomatic note to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) regarding the extension of the Space Cooperation Agreement on February 25, 2008. ¶3. (SBU) On February 22, 2008, ESTH Counselor briefed the Head of the Ministry of External Relations' (MRE) Division of Maritime, Antarctic and Space Affairs, Bernardo Velloso, of this decision to be willing to extend the agreement. Velloso was very pleased with this development. He also recognized that this extension would give both sides time to negotiate revisions to the agreement. ISS SUSPENSION UPDATE ¶4. (SBU) On a related subject, Velloso said that he expected soon to be able to send the USG a response to the diplomatic note delivered on May 24, 2007, which expressed the USG's intention to suspend the Implementing Arrangement concerning the design and construction of the International Space Station (ISS). He said that he expected the MRE's lawyers to complete their work shortly and he would then send the corresponding reply diplomatic note, which would cause the suspension to enter into effect. He did not foresee any substantive or technical reasons why the note should be delayed much longer. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT. Although on the surface the matters are not directly linked together, we believe that the agreement to extend the Framework Agreement should help to expedite the Brazilian side responding to the ISS suspension diplomatic note. Further, Vellos understands that the USG has an option to exercise its right to terminate - rather than just suspend - the ISS agreement if this matter drags on too long. END COMMENT. SOBEL