TURKS SEEKING NO-COST VACCINES, DELAY DECISION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001955 SIPDIS SECDEF FOR OUSD-P/ISP/TSPCP/CTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2013 TAGS: TBIO MARR MASS AMED TU SUBJECT: TURKS SEEKING NO-COST VACCINES, DELAY DECISION ON OUR OFFER REF: A. SECSTATE 256701 ¶B. ANKARA 944 ¶C. ANKARA 1079 ¶D. SECSTATE 58805 ¶E. SECSTATE 61508 ¶F. ANKARA 1460 (U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert S. Deutsch. Reasons: 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA advised Economic Officer 3/25 that the GOT is waiting for no-cost vaccine offers through the NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC) before accepting or declining our offer to sell through FMS pre-event smallpox and anthrax vaccines. Through NATO EADRCC, Denmark has offered 10,000 smallpox vaccines for civilian use, sufficient for Turkey's civilian first responders, according to NATO Desk Officer Sahin Ozcan. With regard to Turkey's military request for 20,000 doses, Ozcan said that he had forwarded our offer to the Turkish General Staff (TGS) and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and is awaiting their response. EconOff reminded Ozcan of our request for a VIG disclaimer letter in advance of Turkey's decision on smallpox vaccine to avoid processing delays. ¶2. (C) With regard to anthrax vaccines, MFA advised that through NATO EADRCC, Canada offered 150,000 doses of antibiotics for anthrax exposure. EconOff reminded Ozcan that our offer was for pre- (not post-) event exposure vaccines for 5,866 personnel and that time was of the essence. Post will continue to follow and report. PEARSON