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