TAIWAN SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 004060 SIPDIS STATE PASS AIT/W E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2015 TAGS: TBIO EAGR ECON PREL TW KSTH WHO SUBJECT: TAIWAN SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA REF: STATE 175585 Classified By: AIT DIRECTOR DOUGLAS PAAL, REASONS 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a series of meetings on September 28-30, AIT briefed senior Taiwan officials from the National Security Council (NSC),Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Department of Health (DOH) on the U.S. initiative to establish the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) (Reftel). Acting Director explained to NSC Secretary General Chiou I-jen that the need for PRC SIPDIS participation in the initiative means we will have to work with Taiwan on the side, for example, through bilateral cooperative programs. Chiou expressed appreciation for the information and suggested that Taiwan might be able to make a contribution through WHO technical meetings. End Summary. NSC --- ¶2. (C) AIT Acting Director discussed the U.S. IPAPI initiative with National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General Chiou I-Jen on September 28. ADIR provided Chiou with a copy of the core principles and explained that because of the need to get China involved in the IPAPI initiative to develop a common approach to AI, we would have to work with Taiwan on the side. The U.S., ADIR assured Chiou, would keep Taiwan informed of developments and discuss ways for Taiwan to be actively involved, including through U.S.-Taiwan bilateral cooperative projects. ADIR pointed out that Taiwan would also be an active partner in APEC AI activities. Chiou suggested that Taiwan might be able to make a contribution through WHO technical meetings. Chiou also stressed that President Chen Shui-bian takes AI very seriously and that the relevant agencies are strengthening preparations to confront an AI outbreak. MOFA -------------- ¶3. (C) MOFA North American Affairs Deputy Director Kelly Hsieh expressed hope that a way could be found to include Taiwan in IPAPI activities, in response to a briefing by POL Chief on September 29. Hsieh urged AIT to use the modus vivendi worked out with the WHO via the International Health Regulations (IHRs),which permit Taiwan participation in WHO activities. Hsieh also encouraged the U.S. to consider creating an East Asian regional group of nations willing to work together (ROK, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan) to cooperate and share information on AI. DOH --- ¶4. (C) DOH Bureau of International Cooperation Director General Peter Chang told Econ Chief on September 30 that the Minister of Health has set up a high-level task force that will oversee the AI effort. This office will be headed by Dr. Li Jih-Heng, the former Director General of the National Bureau of Controlled Drugs. The task force will have control over all emergency medical offices in DOH. It also will coordinate with the Council of Agriculture. The task force has already started to issue a weekly newsletter for the general public in Chinese and English on the status of AI. The newsletter can be found on the DOH website by clicking on "Taiwan Health News" at http://www.doh.gov.tw/EN/Webpage Chang asked for some time to review the IPAPI core principles before responding to the AIT briefing. PAAL