Note from the Director of Argentinian National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) on a Possible Agreement with Brazil

NATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

An agency of the Presidency of the Nation                                                                     SECRET

                                                                                                   Buenos Aires, February 16 1972

Reply by the National Atomic Energy Commission to the Secret Note 12.372 of February 9 last, on a possible cooperation agreement with Brazil in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.  

On this issue, this Commission informs of its continuing interest in signing an agreement that will permit the increase and formalization of the relationship, an interest that has been expressed for many years but which political reasons signalled by this Ministry have nevertheless delayed until now.

On this subject, it is deemed opportune to summarize the main antecedent events related to the issue.

1) Note C.9 “S”/67 of December 27 1967.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the Ezeiza Atomic Center and of the visit then made by the President of the Nuclear Energy Commission of Brazil, Professor Uriel da Costa Ribeiro,  a note was sent to the Ministry explaining the  Brazilian interest in an agreement with our country and the position of this Comission on the matter.

2) The Chancery replied to that note with its secret note DGP no. 3104, dated  March 21 1968.

3) Note KB.155 “R”/69,  of December 15 1969

Through this secret note, this National Commission reported on the dealings with its Brazilian counterpart with a view to the negotiation of a cooperation agreement and requested the corresponding instructions from the Chancery.   

4)  During the conversations in the years 1970 and 1971 between the Directors and staff at the Political Directorate of the Ministry and the undersigned on the possibility of arriving at an agreement with Brazil, the convenience of postponing its realization until the general conditions of the relationship with that country became more favorable was indicated, as well as that of reserving such an agreement as an element of negotiation, given the interest shown by Brazil. Accordingly, this Commission awaited the corresponding instructions from the Chancery.

The National Atomic Energy Commission renews to the Ministry of External Relations and Cult the assurances of its highest consideration.

(Signed ) Oscar A. Quihillalt - President