KAZAKHSTAN: AVIAN FLU DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS ALMATY 003091

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN JMUDGE, OES/STC AND EUR/RUS NOLL
ALSO FOR EB/TPP/ATP AND EB/TPP/BTA
USDA FAS FOR ITP FOR MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP WETZEL
FAS PLEASE PASS TO APHIS AND FSIS
ANKARA FOR FAS ATTACHE HIGGISTON
GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE
TASHKENT FOR ESTH

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR TBIO ECON SOCI ETRD PGOV KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: AVIAN FLU DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: (A) STATE 153802
(B) ALMATY 3085 (NOTAL)


1. (U) In accordance with Ref A instructions, A/DCM
delivered subject demarche to two senior GOK officials:
Chairman of the Veterinary Committee of the Ministry of
Agriculture Asylbek Kazhumratov and First Deputy Minister of
Emergency Situations Nurakhmet Bizahnov in Astana August 24.


2. (SBU) Both officials appreciated the spirit in which the
message was delivered. Kozhumratov told A/DCM that he was
"optimistic" because the Ministry has not received a new
initial report of suspected AI since 15 August. He
estimated that the current quarantine regime could be
maintained for two or three months. On the subject of
preparedness plans, he promised to send a copy of the GOK's
plan to the Embassy. He asked for the Embassy's help in
obtaining detailed information on other countries' plans,
particularly the Republic of Korea.


3. (SBU) Bizhanov, who chairs the GOK's interagency
coordinating committee on AI, also received A/DCM cordially.
(Note: As a supplement to Ref B, the coordinating committee
also includes the Ministries of Environmental Protection and
Transportation and Communications, as well as the Customs
Committee of the Ministry of Finance. Bizhanov left open
the possibility that the autumn hunting ban cited in Ref B
may be relaxed to a postponement of the season until
November. End Note.)


4. (SBU) Bizhanov spoke at length about the GOK's efforts to
contain the AI epidemic. Details will be addressed Septel.
Generally, however, he expressed real concern about another
outbreak occurring during the autumn migration season.


5. (SBU) Bizhanov was not able at the time of the meeting to
name a single point of contact, as requested in Reftel A.
However, he indicated that he would consult with the
coordinating committee and reply to the Embassy by week's
end. Until a POC is named, we are confident that we can
deliver any desired messages on AI to any level of the GOK
through our existing contacts.


6. (U) Dushanbe Minimize considered.

ASQUINO


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