Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRASILIA1370
2009-11-27 09:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brasilia
Cable title:
NUCLEAR FUEL BANKS - BRAZIL THINKS THE IDEA IS PREMATURE
how-toVZCZCXRO1421 OO RUEHRG DE RUEHBR #1370 3310945 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 270945Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5487 INFO RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 0067 RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 0139 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0207 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEHII/VIENNA IAEA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BRASILIA 001370
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS - M.HUMPHREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY RS BR
SUBJECT: NUCLEAR FUEL BANKS - BRAZIL THINKS THE IDEA IS PREMATURE
FOR DECISION, BUT MOST LIKELY WILL ABSTAIN
REF: A) STATE 120282, B) STATE 117710, C) BRASILIA 1141
(U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET
DISTRIBUTION.
UNCLAS BRASILIA 001370
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS - M.HUMPHREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY RS BR
SUBJECT: NUCLEAR FUEL BANKS - BRAZIL THINKS THE IDEA IS PREMATURE
FOR DECISION, BUT MOST LIKELY WILL ABSTAIN
REF: A) STATE 120282, B) STATE 117710, C) BRASILIA 1141
(U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET
DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) On November 25, Science Counselor discussed the proposal
for establishing a nuclear fuel bank (per REFTELS B and C) with the
Director of Brazil's Ministry of External Relations' (MRE)
Department of Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies, Minister
Santiago Mourao. As indicated in REFTEL C, the Government of Brazil
(GOB) has interest in discussing the proposal for a nuclear fuel
bank at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),but at this
time Brazil still has various questions it would like to see
clarified.
3. (SBU) Mourao said that it was "premature" for the IAEA to be
taking a decision on the Russian proposal at the upcoming Board of
Governors (BOG) meeting. He said that the Brazilian Ambassador in
Vienna had raised their concerns during the recent meeting in Vienna
on the proposal. Brazil was particularly interested in knowing how
would a nuclear fuel bank work, when and under what circumstances
could a country obtain access, and what were the criteria for a
country to participate in the program.
4. (SBU) A small working group, including Brazil and also some
countries that are likely participants in such a program (for
example, Malaysia),should be set up to look more in depth at the
question, suggested Mourao. He added that their Ambassador in
Vienna had been "unleashed" and so had ample authority to handle
this issue from Vienna.
5. (SBU) COMMENT. If a vote comes up at this IAEA BOG, Brazil
would most likely not vote in favor. Mourao was unclear about
whether they would abstain or vote against. However, the MRE
generally does not like to break consensus or be seen as the country
blocking a decision, unless the question is of vital interest. Post
believes that if the majority of member states at the IAEA BOG are
in favor of the proposal, then Brazil will most likely abstain. END
COMMENT.
JACKSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS - M.HUMPHREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY RS BR
SUBJECT: NUCLEAR FUEL BANKS - BRAZIL THINKS THE IDEA IS PREMATURE
FOR DECISION, BUT MOST LIKELY WILL ABSTAIN
REF: A) STATE 120282, B) STATE 117710, C) BRASILIA 1141
(U) THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET
DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) On November 25, Science Counselor discussed the proposal
for establishing a nuclear fuel bank (per REFTELS B and C) with the
Director of Brazil's Ministry of External Relations' (MRE)
Department of Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies, Minister
Santiago Mourao. As indicated in REFTEL C, the Government of Brazil
(GOB) has interest in discussing the proposal for a nuclear fuel
bank at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),but at this
time Brazil still has various questions it would like to see
clarified.
3. (SBU) Mourao said that it was "premature" for the IAEA to be
taking a decision on the Russian proposal at the upcoming Board of
Governors (BOG) meeting. He said that the Brazilian Ambassador in
Vienna had raised their concerns during the recent meeting in Vienna
on the proposal. Brazil was particularly interested in knowing how
would a nuclear fuel bank work, when and under what circumstances
could a country obtain access, and what were the criteria for a
country to participate in the program.
4. (SBU) A small working group, including Brazil and also some
countries that are likely participants in such a program (for
example, Malaysia),should be set up to look more in depth at the
question, suggested Mourao. He added that their Ambassador in
Vienna had been "unleashed" and so had ample authority to handle
this issue from Vienna.
5. (SBU) COMMENT. If a vote comes up at this IAEA BOG, Brazil
would most likely not vote in favor. Mourao was unclear about
whether they would abstain or vote against. However, the MRE
generally does not like to break consensus or be seen as the country
blocking a decision, unless the question is of vital interest. Post
believes that if the majority of member states at the IAEA BOG are
in favor of the proposal, then Brazil will most likely abstain. END
COMMENT.
JACKSON