Cablegate: Brazil to Send Park Directors On Paid Internships

VZCZCXRO9851
PP RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #1666 2261409
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141409Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6334
INFO RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 2653
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 7723
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 5270

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001666

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO STATE FOR JMCALPINE OES/ETC;
NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE FOR JPUTNAM;
USFS FOR EMAYHEW AND MZWEEDE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TBIO KSCA BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL TO SEND PARK DIRECTORS ON PAID INTERNSHIPS

1. Post recently learned that Brazil's Environmental Protection
Agency (IBAMA) has allotted money for the second semester of FY07 to
send each of its 23 national park directors on a month-long
internship at a national park overseas. At a meeting on August 10,
IBAMA's head of international relations and director of wildlife
expressed interest in sending some of the park directors to intern
at a national park in the United States. Similar agreements already
exist with France and Italy.

2. Comment: Post regards this as a visible, high-impact opportunity
to increase collaboration and build capacity in Brazil. As IBAMA
has already budgeted money for the program the U.S. only requires a
national park willing to help train and develop a Brazilian
counterpart. This is the equivalent of a long-term IV paid for by
the GoB. Post highlights that undertaking the endeavor would result
in a very positive outcome, from both a conservation and public
relations perspective. Likely follow-ups include roundtables,
speeches and/or press events. End Comment

3. Action Request: Post requests Department and NPS guidance on the
viability of the project.

SOBEL

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