

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06SAOPAULO965, AMBASSADOR'S AUGUST 23-24 VISIT TO SAO PAULO SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06SAOPAULO965.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06SAOPAULO965 | 2006-09-05 16:04 | 2010-12-16 06:06 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Sao Paulo |
VZCZCXRO1510
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHSO #0965/01 2481657
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051657Z SEP 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5728
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6791
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2560
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 2145
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 2443
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1860
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 3005
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0377
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 3118
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 7410
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 2758
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAO PAULO 000965
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC, EB/CBA, and EB/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR MSULLIVAN STATE PASS EXIMBANK STATE PASS OPIC FOR MORONESE, RIVERA, MERVENNE NSC FOR FEARS
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/OLAC
USDOC FOR 3134/USFCS/OIO
USDOC ALSO PASS PTO/OLIA TREASURY FOR OASIA, DAS LEE AND JHOEK DOL FOR ILAB MMITTELHAUSER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD BEXP KIPR BR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S AUGUST 23-24 VISIT TO SAO PAULO SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
------- SUMMARY -------
¶1. (SBU) Ambassador Clifford Sobel passed two eventful days in Sao Paulo August 23-24, beginning his visit with an appearance at the opening of a Calder exhibit at the Pinacoteca, one of the major art museums in Sao Paulo. The following day he met separately with the heads of the Brazilian subsidiaries of two major U.S. companies as well as the Vice President for Latin America of the Motion Picture Association. He also attended a lunch at the American Chamber of Commerce and made remarks with the AMCHAM board and other influential private sector leaders in attendance. The Ambassador exchanged views on a range of economic and political issues, discussed possible strategies for expanding trade and investment, and explored the possibilities for corporate responsibility activities in the private sector. End Summary.
------------ GM OF BRASIL ------------
¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Sobel met privately with Ray G. Young, President and Managing director of GM of Brasil since January, 2004, who also sits on GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East Strategy Board. Young expressed enthusiasm for the current Brazilian economy, the outlook for GM's operations in the country, and the adaptability of the Brazilian worker. According to Young, the outlook for GM in Brazil is excellent. If the current GDP growth levels of the last 3-4 years are maintained, or, better yet, if the economy can grow 5 percent annually while remaining stable, GM will be able to continue to operate profitably. His three recommendations to the GoB would be: (1) establish growth targets (of 5 percent annually) and then prepare a business plan to achieve this goal; (2) implement tax reform and reduce government inefficiency in order to help achieve the goal; and (3) make education a high priority to help continue to develop a qualified, skilled work force to meet the challenges of globalization and a continually changing economy. 3. (SBU) GM of Brasil has 21,000 employees. Seventy percent of its market is domestic, with foreign sales accounting for the other 30 percent. The company plans to double its engineering staff in order to export engineering services. Young believes that if GM had access to Asian markets it would be competitive there. He stressed the importance of competitiveness and of "opening one's eyes" to market opportunities. In his opinion, Brazil should be a global player and should begin to use new business models. GM is well respected in the community and has not encountered any anti-Americanism in Brazil. The night prior to his meeting with the Ambassador, Young and CEOs of other major companies attended a dinner with President Lula, who was seeking feedback on issues of concern to the business community and ideas on opportunities for the next administration.
--------- GE BRASIL ---------
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador also met privately with Alexandre G. Silva, President and CEO of GE Brasil since October 2001 as well as Vice President of the AMCHAM Board. GE is a thriving company in Brazil with 6,000 employees, and expects 20 percent growth by the year 2010. In Latin America, GE predicts growth of more than 30 percent by 2010, compared to 25 percent in China and 20 in India. GE's aircraft overhaul business is very profitable in Brazil, due to the SAO PAULO 00000965 002 OF 003 cost-efficient facilities, talented labor force, and growing number of contracts with U.S. air carriers (Southwest, UPS, and others).
---------------------------------- DIFFERING EXPERIENCES IN VENEZUELA ----------------------------------
¶5. (SBU) Both GM and GE operate in Venezuela and have had different experiences dealing with the GoV. GM has offices and factories located in Venezuela, whereas GE only ships products to the country and has little staff or facilities there. GM President Young said GM believes it is discriminated against in Venezuela, resulting in a reducing market share compared to Japanese auto makers. Venezuela is still a profitable market for GM, but if continued exhaustive perusal of documentation, imposition of further regulations, and other obstacles persist, doing business may become increasingly difficult. GE, which has no manufacturing operations in Venezuela, has experienced no problems. GE is profitable in Venezuela and plans to do more business there, particularly in the area of equipment used by the oil industry.
¶6. (U) The Ambassador asked both Young and Silva about their companies' corporate responsibility programs and activities. Young stated GM has several social responsibility programs, focusing on the local communities where GM facilities are located, and promised to provide more detailed information. Silva said that of GE's 6,000 employees, 3,000 are active in social responsibility programs. Both executives were also enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a Brazilian "Council on Competitiveness" agenda, in addition to a speaker's programs with local universities.
------------ AMCHAM LUNCH ------------
¶7. (U) AMCHAM Brazil sponsored a lunch for the Ambassador, with approximately 50 members and private sector leaders in attendance. The Sao Paulo AMCHAM is the largest American Chamber of Commerce in the world outside the United States, bringing together over 6,000 small, medium, and large enterprises. There are affiliate offices in Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Campinas (Sao Paulo state), Curitiba, Goiania, Porto Alegre and Recife. 80 percent of the members are Brazilian companies, 13 percent are American companies, and the rest are of other nationalities. The Ambassador delivered brief remarks on USG's interest in promoting investment and trade, and corporate responsibility. During the discussion period, some major issues of concern raised by the business leaders were the renewal of GSP benefits, the benefits to be derived from a closer bilateral trade relationship, cooperation on biofuels, the importance of the agricultural sector to U.S. and Brazilian commercial interests, concern over Venezuela's being part of Mercosul, and prospects for the Doha Round. The Ambassador stressed the important role that the AMCHAM played in these issues.
-------------------------- MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION --------------------------
¶8. (SBU) The Ambassador later met with Steve Solot, Senior Vice President for Latin American Operations for the Motion Picture Association (MPA). Brazil is the Latin American region's most important market, with 40 percent of regional media revenue, of which half is in video. The MPA has a very good relationship with the Brazilian film industry. Approximately 60 films were co-produced or co-distributed in the past two years, including the top five Brazilian films for 2005. MPA continues to have major concerns about IPR piracy. In recognition of the GoB's growing SAO PAULO 00000965 003 OF 003 efforts and accomplishments in combating piracy, MPA plans to give an award to the head of the National Anti-Piracy Council. Other issues of concern are: (1) the transition to digital TV and its effect on protection of content, (2) Brazil's Development Agenda in WIPO, which seeks to provide more flexible copyright protection for developing countries (the MPA believes it should be the opposite), and (3) the USG's Special 301 process. Solot explained that the copyright industries advocated upgrading Brazil on the Watch List this year. Brazil remained on the Priority Watch List largely due to the GoB's policies on pharmaceutical patents; nonetheless, most Brazilians believe MPA was responsible for the ranking due to its energetic advocacy for copyright protection. The Ambassador expressed interest in Solot's offer to host film screenings, perhaps in coordination with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, a former executive of Brazil's largest film company.
------- COMMENT -------
¶9. (SBU) This was a successful visit that enabled the Ambassador to make further progress in the key areas of promoting trade and investment, underscoring the importance that the business community played in Brazilian policy decisions. It also allowed the Ambassador to stress the importance of corporate responsibility. END COMMENT.
¶10. (U) Ambassador Sobel has approved this cable. McMullen