URUGUAY: STRENGTHENING BILATERAL ANTARCTIC

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000059

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ADDED BRASILIA

WHA/BSC FOR DASCHBACH
BRASILIA FOR HUB BRAGHETTA
DEPT FOR OES/OA, EBLOOM, LRHUGHES, RARNAUDO
DEPT PASS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION/OPP FOR KERB, SBORG,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHSA KTIA EAID AY MESUR UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY: STRENGTHENING BILATERAL ANTARCTIC
COOPERATION


1. Summary: Starting with the signing of the bilateral
Science and Technology Agreement (April 29 2008) and the
ensuing U/S Dobrianksy visit, the U.S. and Uruguay have
deepened relations in the field of Antarctic cooperation.
U.S. Antarctic institutions are showing interest in pursuing
joint research opportunities and using Uruguay's Artigas Base
and vessels. In February, at the invitation of the GOU, U.S.
scientists will visit Artigas Base to investigate
possibilities for partnerships. Although considered a small
player, Uruguay's activity in Antarctic has the capacity to
expand substantially, and its hosting of the 2010 Antarctic
Treaty Conference will position Uruguay as an important ally
in Antarctica. End Summary.

USG Officials visit Artigas Base
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2. The Uruguayan Artigas Base, located off of the Antarctic
Peninsula on King George's Island, is a small base looking to
expand its research capabilities, both in terms of equipment
and in scientific know-how. In its efforts to reach out to
the USG, the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute (UAI) invited
former Ambassador Baxter, OES DAS Jeff Miotke, and Econoff to
join a December outreach mission also attended by GOU science
policy-makers. The participants noted that the base is in
need of equipment both for research and for general logistics
on the island. There is also a project underway to develop
Uruguay's second territorial holding, a small, "summer base"
on the Antarctic Peninsula. Although the UAI is committed to
this project, the investment required is significant and
funding short. Comment: We expect current UAI president,
General Montaldo, to continue working with GOU officials in
the scientific arena to develop Uruguay's domestic science
and research capacity at its bases. He is especially
interested to find ways that joint research activities with
the U.S. could benefit the next generation of Uruguay's
scientists. End comment.

U.S. Institutions Engage
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3) Post contacted over 20 academic and governmental
institutions that work on Antarctic issues to probe interest
in a Uruguayan relationship. In February, three scientists
accepted the UAI invitation to join a research mission on
February 21- March 1: Dr. Mahlon Kennicutt, President of the
Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research, Dr. Joseph
McConnell, Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada,
and Dr. Joseph Warren, Stony Brook University School of
Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Several other institutions
indicated interest in investigating relationships with UAI
including NOAA and NSF.

4) Post maintains close contact with the UAI and will ensure
follow up with interested U.S. institutions, potentially
through the venue of the 2009 Antarctic Treaty Meeting in
Baltimore. Strong GOU participation in the Antarctic Treaty
meeting will set the foundation for a successful conference
in 2010, which will be held in Montevideo. Post will also
respond to UAI requests to enhance scientific cooperation
through speaker and educational exchanges.

5) Comment: Helping to develop the Artigas Base by sending
U.S. researchers is a smart way to broaden our influence in
Uruguay and a great opportunity for scientific diplomacy in
the field of climate change. Post believes that Antarctic
cooperation has the potential to be one of the most
substantial outcomes from the S & T Agreement. End Comment.
Matthewman