Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO584
2006-05-08 12:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY SUPPORTS MAINTAINING SMALLPOX STOCKS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0584 1281247 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081247Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3923 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1265 RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS OSLO 000584
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/T
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TBIO WHO NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY SUPPORTS MAINTAINING SMALLPOX STOCKS
REF: STATE 71569
(SBU) On May 5 we delivered reftel demarche to Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Desk Officer for UN Health Affairs Stein
Nesvag. Nesvag said that Norway had been backing official
retention of smallpox virus stocks for some time and he saw
no change in their position in the World Health Assembly.
Nesvag noted that Norwegians see research on smallpox as a
global public good, the results of which they feel should be
open and shared, not patented. In addition to continued open
research, Norwegians are interested in reviewing the
financing of laboratory inspections. Norwegians would like
to see inspections funded with regular WHO funds. Finally,
Norwegians are also interested in broadening the WHA advisory
committee to ensure that views of member states outside U.S.,
Russia, and EU are heard.
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m
WHITNEY