BRAZIL: AGREEMENT TO SUSPEND BRAZIL'S PARTICIPATION IN

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000737 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/SAT FOR R.FORD AND D.MURR STATE FOR L/OES FOR M.SIMONOFF STATE FOR OES/PCI FOR L.SPERLING STATE FOR WHA/BSC FOR D.SCHNIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPA KSCA SENV BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL: AGREEMENT TO SUSPEND BRAZIL'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AGREEMENT REF: 2007 STATE 115699 ¶1. SUMMARY. The Government of Brazil has completed the exchange of diplomatic notes that suspends Brazil's particpation in the International Space Station. Per the two notes, the suspension took effect upon the receipt by Post of this second note, which occurred on May 29, 2008. END SUMMARY. ¶2. In response to the diplomatic note from Embassy (per REFTEL) proposing the suspension of Brazil's participation in the International Space Station (ISS),the Post has received on May 29 diplomatic note (DMAE/CGEUC/DAI/01/MESP) from Brazil's Ministry of External Relations dated May 9, 2008, agreeing to the suspension. The note was signed by the acting Minister of External Relations Ruy Nunes Pinto Nogueira. A copy of the Note and the informal translation will be sent to WHA/BSC and OES/SAT. ¶3. An informal translation of the note is as follows: -------------- -------------- Mr. Ambassador, I have the honor to confirm receiving Diplomatic Note number 137 of April 2, 2008, which has the following content: "I have the honor to refer to the Implementing Arrangement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Design, Development, Operation and Use of Flight Equipment and Payloads for the International Space Station Program (the Arrangement),signed at Brasilia October 14, 1997. Based on discussions between representatives of the Government of the United States and the Government of Brazil concerning the implementation of the Arrangement and the progress in completion of the International Space Station, I have the honor to propose that the Arrangement be suspended for an indefinite period of time. I also have the honor to propose that the suspension of the Arrangement shall take effect upon receipt of your signed note in reply. Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration." ¶2. Regarding this matter, I would like to inform you that the Government of Brazil agrees with the suspension of the Implementing Agreement, with the objective of evaluating future opportunities of additional cooperation in this area. ¶3. The Government of Brazil equally agrees that both the referenced Note and the present responding Note are part of the understanding of the two Governments for the suspension of the referred Implementing Agreement, and will go into effect the moment that you receive the present Note. I would like to take this opportunity to renew, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. SOBEL