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