CORRECTED SUBJECT: KINGSTON WELCOMES EMBASSY SCIENCE

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001704 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BUDDEN),STATE ALSO FOR OES/STC (LUCERO) SANTO DOMINGO PLEASE PASS FOR FAS (ROTHSCHILD) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSCA TSPL AMGT OTRA APER SENV JM SUBJECT: CORRECTED SUBJECT: KINGSTON WELCOMES EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS REF: A.) FAS WASHDC 679665 B.) KINGSTON 884 C.) STATE 35305 ¶1. This is a joint State-FAS message. This cable responds to ref. A action request. ¶2. Post is pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas Schiefer and Dr. Bradley Turner to Kingston to assist the Government of Jamaica's Ministry of Health to develop a National Avian Influenza Surveillance and Response Program. ¶3. Housing has been secured for Dr. Schiefer and Dr. Turner at the U.S. Embassy's Colin L. Powell residential plaza, apartment 5B. The dates of the proposed visit are September 3 to October 7, and Post further understands that an extra week may be necessary for a simulation exercise. The Powell Plaza unit is a two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen. ¶4. The GOJ's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) will provide office space for the doctors, internet access and administrative support, as requested in ref. C. Local transportation for work-related activities will be provided by MOA. Transportation to and from the Ministry of Agriculture must be contracted through a car service in Kingston. While Embassy Kingston will arrange for this transportation, it lacks the ability to fund it. ¶5. Post understands that USDA's HPAI coordination group is contracting to cover salary costs, and that FAS/ICD/RSED will pay for international travel and meals and incidental expenses. ¶6. Embassy point of contact: Sylburn Thomas e-mail: sylburn.thomas@usda.gov Phone: (876)920-2827 Fax: (876)920-2580 JOHNSON