Cablegate: Mercury Partner for Unep Submission - Brazilian Response

VZCZCXRO3262
PP RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #1708 2291248
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171248Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6395
INFO RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 2698
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 7768
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 5306

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001708

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/ENV ANGELA BEDNAREK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD TSPL UNEP BR
SUBJECT: MERCURY PARTNER FOR UNEP SUBMISSION - BRAZILIAN RESPONSE

REFTEL: STATE 130753

1. Post delivered reftel's talking points to Otavio Drummond of the
MFA's Division for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development.
Drummond noted that the Ministry of Environment (MMA) is
responsible for mercury activities in Brazil and surmised that the
MMA would most likely submit a list of activities to UNEP. The MFA
has requested information from MMA which Drummond will pass on
if/when received.

2. Comment: Scioffs have been trying to facilitate mercury
cooperation between the MMA and U.S. EPA under the ambit of the UNEP
mercury partnership program. Throughout the process the MMA
division responsible for chemicals has often appeared unable to
execute tasks in a timely manner. To wit, it is not clear whether
they will make the submission deadline for the report. The MMA has,
however, continually professed interest in working on mercury with
UNEP and the USG. End Comment

SOBEL

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