ANKARA EAC MEETING 01/06/2006

UNCLAS ANKARA 000102

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR, EUR/EX, EUR/SE, M/MED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC AMED TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA EAC MEETING 01/06/2006


1. (U) Charge chaired the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on
01/06/06 to discuss recent developments with Avian Influenza
(AI) in Turkey before the upcoming Turkish holiday. In
attendance were representatives from the following
sections/agencies: RSO, MGT, IMO, RMO, CON, DAO, POL, MSG,
FCS, ECON, DEA, FBI, INC, FAS, RAO, CLO, TSR, ODC, TLO,
AFOSI, and Detachment 1.


2. (U) RMO provided an update on the AI cases in eastern
Turkey, noting a third confirmed death and the fact that the
presence of H5N1 had also been confirmed. FAS summarized
developments within the poultry industry, and noted that
eight provinces within Turkey had been placed under animal
quarantine. The Government of Turkey's efforts to manage AI,
as well as the assistance provided by International
Governmental Organizations, were also discussed. A detailed
update on these specific developments will be reported septel.


3. (U) While the Government of Turkey and Mission Turkey are
scheduled to be closed from 07-15 January during the Turkish
Bayram holiday, an AI working group has been formed from a
subset of the EAC. This working group will convene
intermittently during the coming week and provide regular AI
updates to the Department.
MCELDOWNEY