BRAZIL: EXTENDING THE U.S.-BRAZIL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001224 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/SAT: CCANNIZZARO, OES/L :SMCDONALD NASA FOR MICHAEL MOORE AND KENT BRESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPA KSCA NASA BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL: EXTENDING THE U.S.-BRAZIL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON SPACE COOPERATION REF: A) BRASILIA 122, B) STATE 8054 (U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) On September 17 Counselor Fabio Vaz Pitaluga, head of the Division of Oceans, Antarctica, and Space (DMAE) of the Ministry of External Relations (MRE),met with Science Counselor and Science Officer to discuss the options for the renewal of the U.S.-Brazil Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which is due to expire on January 31, 2010. (REFTELS) Given that it is highly unlikely that the USG and [GOB] could conclude negotiations of a new framework agreement beforehand, Pitaluga was looking at options for extending the existing agreement. ¶2. (SBU) During the meeting, three options were discussed, all of which involve an agreement by exchange of diplomatic notes: (1) to extend the agreement by one additional year; (2) to extend the agreement by two years; and (3) to extend the agreement by one year and provide for automatic annual extensions of one year unless either party objects. ¶3. (SBU) Pitaluga showed a preference for the two latter options because they would avoid the necessity of going through this extension process each year. He was interested in the USG view on these options. COMMENT. Post would appreciate Washington's views on these three options. It would be helpful to pass any concerns to the MRE soonest before they start heading in a direction we have doubts about. We expect that the MRE will start the extension process in the near future because of the long lead time the MRE usually takes to make a decision and approve sending a diplomatic note in this matter. END COMMENT. KUBISKE