ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH MINISTER OF

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002733

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/BSC
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS HHS FOR ROSALY CORREA-DE-ARAUJO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH MINISTER OF
HEALTH

REF: BUENOS AIRES 00723

Summary
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1. Ambassador Wayne paid a courtesy call on Minister of
Health Mario Gines Gonzalez Garcia on December 5, 2006. The
exchange was positive, with both the Ambassador and the
Minister stating that they were pleased with the level of
cooperation and the generally strong bilateral relationship
on health issues at all levels. Minister Gonzalez Garcia
told the Ambassador that Argentina will seek U.S. support for
its candidate for Director of the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO),Argentine national Dr. Mirta Roses
Periago, who will seek a second term in September 2007. End
Summary.


A Strong Relationship
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2. Minister Gonzalez Garcia told Ambassador Wayne that he is
very pleased with the level of cooperation between the
Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). Gonzalez Garcia haracterized as
especially positive his personal relationship with Secretary
Mike Leavitt, and highlighted the recently signed memorandum
of understanding between the MoH and HHS as an example of
ongoing concrete interaction. Ambassador Wayne reciprocated
by citing the USG's USD 900,000 pandemic flu preparedness
grant to Gonzalez Garcia's ministry.


PAHO Candidate and CDC Cooperation
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3. (U) Minister Gonzalez Garcia told the Ambassador that
Argentine intends to seek a second term for current PAHO
Director Periago. The Minister noted that the U.S. had
supported Mexico's candidate in the last election, and hinted
that the GoA would seek U.S. support next September.
Gonzalez Garcia also told the Ambassador that in general
terms the GoA would like expand its work with the U.S. Center
for Disease Control (CDC).

Press
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4. (U) Articles describing the meeting appeared in several
Argentine newspapers and accurately reflected the exchange.
WAYNE