Rio, 2/17/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The ministries of Science and Technology, Defense and Foreign Relations are going to examine the so-called technology safeguard agreements signed with the United States and Ukraine, which permit those countries to use the Alcantara rocket launch base in the state of Maranhão. At the moment, the agreements are in Congress. According to minister Roberto Amaral, president Lula will report to Congress on the issue by the end of the month.

Amaral explains that the reexamination is needed because the proposals have been modified, other countries have rocket launch technology and other countries are interested in using Alcantara. "Our position is to select the proposal which best suits our national interests," explained the minister, adding that a final decision will be made on the matter by Congress.

Amaral said that the ministry seeks to complete an aerospace industrial cycle, based at the Alcantara launch center, and consisting of a domestically-made satellite launch vehicle and a satellite produced jointly with China. (AB)