PARAGUAY ON ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF AVIAN

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001109

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR U/S DOBRIANSKY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA
NSC FOR SUE CRONIN
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO ECON PREL SOCI PA KSTH WHO
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ON ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF AVIAN
INFLUENZA

REF: STATE 153802


1. (U) On 9/1, the Ambassador emphasized reftel talking
points in a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Emilio
Gimenez.


2. (SBU) Gimenez advised that the GOP already has established
an avian influenza task force to deal with suspected cases of
exposure to the disease. (Note: The GOP has not advertised
the existence of the task force, in order not to cause
unnecessary alarm among the country's population. End Note.)


3. (U) Gimenez said he would ask Vice Minister of Livestock
Gerardo Bogado to designate a senior-level point of contact
to facilitate further consultations on this issue. Post will
advise septel as soon as such a point of contact has been
identified.
KEANE