Recognizing the new security imperatives following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the mission is moving ahead with appropriate modifications in its management of consular operations. In that context, it has argued persuasively that plans made before September 2001 to relocate some visa operations from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, which assumed continued use of travel agency referrals and waivers of most personal interviews, should be revised, but in such a way as to conform with the original congressional intent to fund a smaller consular operation in Rio de Janeiro and a larger consular operation in Sao Paulo.
Despite strong leadership by the head of OBO, and the progress made to date by OBO, pending buildings issues pose serious security concerns and constitute significant constraints on mission operations. Three ongoing infrastructure projects are critical to the mission?s ability to function effectively: completing the newly acquired consulate compound in Sao Paulo; finding a new site for Consulate General Rio de Janeiro; and upgrading systems and easing space strains on the chancery in Brasilia. Some of these projects are longstanding. The search for a new facility in Rio de Janeiro, for example, has been ongoing for at least seven years. OBO should give high priority to concluding these projects as quickly as possible.
Additional staffing is needed in several key areas. Given the importance of U.S. interests in Brazil, WHA and HR should consider requested increases for consular staffing in Recife, for the economic and administrative functions in Sao Paulo, and for public diplomacy operations in Recife and Sao Paulo.
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.