COLOMBIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN AVIAN FLU SENIOR

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009413

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR ECON PREL SOCI KSCA CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN AVIAN FLU SENIOR
OFFICIALS MEETING

REF: A. STATE 180478


B. STATE 175585


1. (U) PolOff met with representatives from MFA, the Ministry
of Public Health and animal health experts from the Ministry
of Agriculture on September 27 to discuss Colombian
participation in the International Partnership on Avian and
Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) and the Senior Officials Meeting
(SOM). The GOC will send a high-ranking, Washington-based
official to the SOM. Post expects to receive further
information on October 5.


2. (U) MFA and Public Health representatives said the GOC
shares U.S. concerns about the potential avian flu pandemic
and is committed to immediate notification of any outbreaks.
The MFA/Public Health representatives were concerned,
however, that IPAPI would duplicate and/or draw attention
away from international efforts to combat avian flu already
undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO). PolOff
explained that IPAPI will work with WHO and other existing
international organizations. GOC representatives still
appear skeptical, saying they did not want any new
international efforts against avian flu to undermine existing
mechanisms.

WOOD