ARMENIA JOINS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001730

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KSCA EAGR ECON PREL SOCI AM WHO
SUBJECT: ARMENIA JOINS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN
AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

REF: A) STATE 175585 B) YEREVAN 1641 C) YEREVAN 1562


1. (U) On September 27, CDA Godfrey met with Armenian
Minister of Health Norayr Davidian to discuss the
International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza,
invite Armenia to participate in the Senior Officials Meeting
and pass reftel A points. Prof. Vladimir Davidyants, the
GOAM point of contact for avian flu, also attended the
meeting. The Minister told us that the GOAM would like to be
included in international efforts to combat avian flu and
asked that Armenia be listed as one of the countries that
supports the joint statement. Given the short notice, he
said that it would be difficult for him to attend the Senior
Officials Meeting. He indicated that Armenia's Embassy in
Washington would likely send a representative to the meeting
and agreed to try to provide us with a complete list of the
GOAM delegation by September 30.


2. (U) Davidyants briefed the CDA on the status of the
National Preparedness Plan (the Plan) for responding to a
possible avian flu outbreak (reftel C). He said that the
Plan is complete and is being circulated among the
appropriate Ministries for final review and approval.
According to Davidyants, the finalized Plan should be
available by October 2. Davidyants reiterated the GOAM's
earlier request (reftel C) that an expert from the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) review and comment on the Plan.
GODFREY