Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05YEREVAN2240
2005-12-30 10:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

GOAM AGAIN DENIES CASES OF AVIAN FLU IN RESPONSE

Tags:  PREL PGOV AM 
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301014Z Dec 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 002240

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, PLEASE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV AM
SUBJECT: GOAM AGAIN DENIES CASES OF AVIAN FLU IN RESPONSE
TO REPORTS OF A-I IN EASTERN TURKEY

REF: YEREVAN 2053

Classified by Charge d'Affaires A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4
(b,d).

(C) Responding to press reports that the Turkish Agricultural
Ministry had linked cases of infected birds in Turkey to
migration from Armenia, Armenia's Deputy Minister of
Agriculture Levon Rukhkyan told the press December 29 that
there had been no confirmed cases of birds infected with
avian influenza (AI) in Armenia. Rukhyan's statement
repeated official GOAM denials of any cases of AI in the
country (ref) but went farther than earlier statements in
pointing to the GOAM's preventative measures. Rukhyan's
office told us November 30 that they were concerned about
reports that hundreds of infected birds had been identified
in Turkey but told us that "everything was under control as
far as Armenia is concerned." Comment: The tone and timing
of Rukhyan's public and private statements show that the GOAM
still appreciates the policy implications of AI. Government
commitment in terms of resource allocation, however, is still
unclear. We will continue to look for concrete proof of the
GOAM's efforts to combat the problem -- beyond coordination
with local embassies and international organizations -- as
information about the situation in Turkey continues to filter
into Yerevan.
GODFREY