VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0059 0331022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADX02679B0 MSI7783 611)
P 021022Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8759
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY

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 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶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 
------------------------ 
 
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