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