Memorandum from the Argentine General Directorate for Nuclear Affairs and Disarmament, 'Overflight by Brazilian Military Plane at Pilcaniyeu Uranium Enrichment Plant'

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND CULT[URE]

MEMORANDUM NO. 706

SECRET

For the information of: STATE SECRETARIAT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND CULT

Produced by: GENERAL DIRECTORATE FOR NUCLEAR AFFAIRS AND DISARMAMENT

Buenos Aires, October 10 1985

Subject: OVERFLIGHT BY BRAZILIAN MILITARY PLANE AT PICNIYEU URANIUM ENRICHMENT PLANT

I. At 15:15 hs. of to-day this General Directorate, through officials from the INVAP S.E.E (Dr. Eduardo Santos, Head of the uranium enrichment plant), was informed of the overflight by an airplane for the Brazilian Air Force of the uranium enrichment plant at Pilcaniyeu (Rio Negro Province).

II. The above mentioned aircraft, register no. FAB 2298, of the “Bandeirante” C95 B type, under the command of Antonio Porto (Brazilian national) took off at 9:33 hs from the San Carlos de Bariloche airport, airstrip 208, headed West on route and flight plan to the town of Puerto Montt (Chile). It next made a 180’ turn – not needed in the way to its destination – and overflew for the first time at 9:47 hs the facilities mentioned in item 1 above and repeated this action a second time at 9:50hs.

III. Having in mind what precedes and considering the sensitive character of said facility, this General Directorate suggests presenting a Note of protest for the fact simultaneously to the Embassy of Brazil in our country and to the Government of Brazil through the Argentine Ambassador. This Note could be of a reserved character to prevent it from being leaked to the media.

IV. It is suggested to the higher authorities to make the relevant consultations with the competent officials of the Argentine Air Force and to inform urgently the measures taken to the Undersecretariat for Latin American Affairs, which would be tasked with drafting the protest Note in case it is considered appropriate.

(Signed) Adolfo Saracho

General Director for Nuclear and Disarmament Affairs