TURKEY INTERIM RESPONSE ON AVIAN FLU PARTNERSHIP

UNCLAS ANKARA 005275 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA PREL SOCI TBIO TU SUBJECT: TURKEY INTERIM RESPONSE ON AVIAN FLU PARTNERSHIP REF: A. A) STATE 164134 ¶B. B) ANKARA 5119 ¶1. Turkey was not able to deliver a definite response to our request for commitment to join an international partnership on avian and pandemic influenza (REF A). Officials at MFA and the Ministries of Health and Agriculture said the proposal looked positive, but were unable to give an official response. The Ministry of Health commented that they would likely follow the lead of the WHO, as they do for general policy and steps on avian influenza. The GOT welcomes exchange of information (REF B). ¶2. On September 7, Charge delivered Ref A points and paper to MFA U/S Ali Tuygan. On the same day, EconOff delivered the points and paper to MFA International Political Organizations Department Head Levent Sahinkaya, who promised a more substantive response next week, based on coordination with the Ministry of Health. AgCounselor delivered the points to officials at the Ministries of Health and Agriculture. MCELDOWNEY