TURKEY'S RESPONSE TO WHO INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

UNCLAS ANKARA 002683

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TBIO TU WHO
SUBJECT: TURKEY'S RESPONSE TO WHO INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
REGULATIONS DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 73041

Sensitive But Unclassified.


1. (SBU) Econoff conveyed reftel talking points to MFA
International Political Organizations Department Head Levent
Sahinkaya, who replied that Turkey shared the U.S. goal to
complete the revision of the International Health Regulations
(IHR) at the May 12-13 meeting of the Intergovernmental
Working Group in Geneva. Sahinkaya said the issues raised by
the U.S. did not appear to be controversial, and he was
hopeful that suitable compromises would be reached. However,
on most issues, the Turkish delegation would align itself
with the EU and seek to vote with the majority.


2. (SBU) Sahinkaya said that he would convey the U.S.
position to the Turkish delegation, which includes Mr. Kivanc
from the Turkish Mission in Geneva and Dr. Yesir from the
Ministry of Health, both of whom would be available to meet
with U.S. officials in Geneva. Sahinkaya added that the GOT
had participated in the earlier working group meetings in
November 2004 and February 2005 and was able at those
meetings to resolve Turkey's concerns that the IHR
(specifically, articles 20, 23 and 85) not contradict the
Montreaux Convention.
EDELMAN