SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY MCMURRAY VISIT AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TRIPOLI 000644 SIPDIS STATE NEA/MAG FOR GAVITO, OES FOR SENSENEY; AMMAN FOR WHITLESLEY; HHS F JANE COURY; CAIRO FOR DR. MARIE RICCIARDONE NEA/RA FOR LAWSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP BTIO EAIR ECIN EFIS EINV ETTC OSCI SENV TBIO, TP, LY SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY MCMURRAY VISIT AND STATUS REPORT ON SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION WITH LIBYA REF: STATE 184185, TRIPOLI 476 ¶1. Post warmly welcomes the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs McMurray. The following background information is provided in anticipation of your visit to Tripoli on November 11-13, 2006. Our scientific engagement program is the most active segment of bilateral cooperation, with ongoing work in biological life sciences, mechanical engineering, water management, nuclear medicine, radioactive waste management and other areas. As with all other delegations, the meeting schedule has not been confirmed at this time. Typically, schedule changes take place up until minutes before a meeting commences. Post anticipates that you will have meetings the evening of Saturday, November 11 with physicians at the Libyan Board of Medical Specialities to discuss telemedicine and sub-speciality training . The morning of Sunday, November 12, we are trying to confirm a meeting with Ahmed Fitouri, the Secretary of American Affairs at the General People's Committee SIPDIS for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation (MFA equivalent) . In addition, you tentatively have meetings scheduled with Matouq Matouq, the Secretary of the General People's Committee for Manpower, Training, and Employment and Ahmed Shembesh, the Director of the Libyan National Center for Standardization and Metrology. The afternoon of November 12, there may be meetings at the Libyan General Water Authority, the Libyan Environment Authority and the Libyan Renewable Energy Center. Since the actual order of the schedule will vary considerably, and as a follow up to the July 2006 agreement signed by the U.S. and Libya concerning science and technology cooperation, this cable follows the format of the signed agreement, and the two should be read in tandem. You will be briefed upon arrival with the latest version of the schedule. -------------- HEALTH -------------- See sub topics of Avian Influenza, African Center for Infectious Disease Control, NAMRU-3, Bio-Ethics, and Libyan Board of Medical Specialities. -------------- 
AVIAN INFLUENZA -------------- ¶2. During the July 11-13 2006 visit of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Alex Azar, an agreement was signed with the General People's Committee for Health and Environment (GPCHE) to participate in a cooperative initiative for the development of public health and security, with particular reference to public health incidents related to influenza. Attached to this agreement was an offer by HHS to provide the GPCHE a non-competitive grant in the amount of USD$1 Million to foster this cooperation through continued partnerships in disease surveillance, preparedness and response capabilities. The grant was authorized on August 29th 2006, and filed with Health and Human Services. Jane Coury of HHS is finalizing the contract and delivering the monies to the Libyans, and will be returning to Libya on November 11-13 to continue discussions with Dr. AbduHafid Abudher of the Libyan (African) Center for Infectious Disease Control (ACIDC.) For further details, please reference TRIPOLI 476, dated September 07, 2006. Key staff of the GPCHE: Secretary Dr. Mohamed Rashed, Under Secretary Mr. Habeb Tamer. -------------- AFRICAN CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL: -------------- ¶3. The scientific engagement program has facilitated continuing contact with the African Center for Infectious Disease Control (ACIDC) and its various offices and personnel. The ACIDC is also the technical point of contact in implementing the HHS Pandemic Influenza Assistance (USD 1 Million.) The main point of contact within the ACIDC is Dr. Abduhafid Abudher. Dr. Abudher also oversees the Tripoli tuberculosis screening center, and Tripoli regional ACIDC center. -------------- NAMRU-3: -------------- ¶4. The Navy Medical Research Unit number 3 (NAMRU-3) based in Cairo, Egypt has been instrumental in engaging the Libyan Biological Life Sciences community. NAMRU-3 invited several Libyan biological scientists to study pathogen handling techniques, sampling techniques disease surveillance workshops and other valuable technical and scientific training programs. They are now routinely hosting teams of 2-5 Libyan scientists at their Cairo based facility for courses runing ne-furweek. In dition, the staff of NAMRU-3 have made themselves available to assist in other medical / bio programs within Libya. Dr. Bruce Boynton visited Tripoli as part of the Trilateral Steering Committee Biological Subcommittee, and Dr. Mustafa Mansour, a dual Egyptian/U.S. citizen has made himself available in the proposal submission for the HHS Pandemic Influenza program. In addition, Dr. Marie Ricciardone, a former NAMRU-3 scientist, and current NP/PTR officer provides continuity and follow up for the Libyan biological science community through the scientist engagement program. -------------- BIO-ETHICS, BIO-SAFETY: -------------- ¶5. The Trilateral Steering Committee Biological Subcommittee, under the direction of Chair Catharine T. Crittenberger has been the chief engine for engagement of the Libyan biological science community. She routinely meets with the Libyan Permanent Committee on Bioethics and Biosafety (LPCBB) and is currently overseeing the Libyan establishment of a comprehensive Bioethics / Biosafety legislation. Her chief interlocutors are Dr. Mohamed Sharif, Manager of the LPCBB, and Dr. Abdurrahman Tawil, LPCBB board member. -------------- LIBYAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES / TELEMEDICINE: -------------- ¶6. On August 30, 2006, ESTH officer and Dr. Mustafa Mansour of the Navy Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU 3) in Cairo, visited the Libyan Board of Medical Specialties to follow up on the July visit of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Alex Azar. DepSec Azar and the Board agreed to SIPDIS collaborate, expand and improve Libya's medical board certification process with particular attention to creating recognized certifications in sub-specialties. The Libyans were challenged by ESTH officer to determine what sort of cooperation or workshop programs would benefit the board, and they responded with two reasonable proposals. The first was a basic discussion on the benefits, feasibility and technology associated with a telemedicine program. The second proposal was for the Libyans to fully fund a series of workshop visits by U.S. physicians, capable of conducting sub-specialty focused workshops in a continuing education capacity, with a secondary goal of discussing and evaluating the board certification criteria in the relevant sub-specialty during the visit. The Libyans have offered to provide funding for visiting physicians from the U.S. to both teach the local physician population, as well as evaluate the board process and certification criteria of medical sub-specialists. Meetings will be scheduled with Jane Coury and/or A/S McMurray as appropriate during their November 11-13 visit to Tripoli. -------------- ENVIRONMENT / WATER -------------- See subtopics of Libyan Environment Authority, Desalination Research, Nuclear Powered Desalination, Quality Monitoring and Education. -------------- LIBYAN ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITY: -------------- ¶8. During the July 2006 visit of Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, she and her delegation met with Dr. Abul-Hakim Al-Waer, Secretary of the Libyan Environment Authority (LEA). They discussed issues of water, general environment, fisheries and standards and metrology. In September 2006, Dr. Al-Waer approached the NDF chemical weapons destruction assistance team and indicated an interest/need for a program to destroy / incinerate / neutralize several caustic and hazardous agents/wastes in accordance with various environmental agreements to which they had either signed, or aspire to sign. These items for destruction included PCB's, transformer oil, pesticides left from Italian residents in the 1930's, and hazardous medical wastes. Dr. Waer desires to establish a solution to the immediate problem of existing waste stockpiles, with additional consideration of disposing of future waste. Dr. Waer said he had a budget of LD 57 Million in 2007 funds to address this disposal problem, (including PCB's, Medical Waste and other hazardous wastes) and would be seeking solutions in 2007/2008. -------------- WATER: DESALINATION RESEARCH: -------------- ¶9. The National Bureau for Research and Development (NBRD), headed by Dr. Ali Gashut oversees the Renewable Energy and Water Desalination Research Center (REWDRC.) The REWDRC oversees research into various desalination technologies including filtration technologies membranes and reverse osmosis technologies and staging various thermal and filtering technologies. The center is currently focusing on the production of 1200 m3/day desalination units for use in Libya's rural communities not currently serviced by the Great Man Made River Authority, with the goal of eventually making these technologies the preferred method of water production/delivery. -------------- WATER: NUCLEAR POWERED DESAL UNITS: -------------- ¶10. The means of powering desalination systems in Libya remains an interesting debate within and out of Libya. Engineer Matug Mohammed Matug, Secretary of the General People's Committee for Manpower, Employment and Training, as well as supervisor of the NBRD and REWDRC continues to request a nuclear powered water desalination unit as a long term solution for Libya's water requirements. Even though traditional combustion and turbomachinery techniques for powering desalination technologies are well within the grasp of the Libyans, and fuel supplies are virtually unlimited, they continue to raise this point as an area for potential cooperation with high-ranking U.S. delegations. Internally there is some debate about this method as well, in that the Libyan leadership does not want Libya to be the pioneer of this technology. Libya wants to see another country prove the concept's feasibility before it invests in the technology. -------------- WATER: QUALITY MONITORING: -------------- ¶11. U.S. Specialists in water quality have been engaging the Libyans via the Libyan General Water Authority (GWA) and the NBRD water quality laboratories. These two entities oversee water quality testing at central laboratories with sampling sites spread throughout Libya. The current lab for the GWA is not well equipped, and one of the lead researchers recently deceased. Experts from Lawrence Livermore Laboratories and Sandia National Labs recently visited both lab facilities and are engaging in cooperation projects. The NBRD is building a new water quality laboratory, and the LLNL and Sandia Labs representatives are providing assistance in planning and construction of the facility. -------------- WATER: EDUCATION: -------------- ¶12. Post is developing a "Water Capacity Building Study Tour" through the voluntary visitor program in cooperation with Dr. Ricciardone at Embassy Cairo and NEA/RA. The program is tentatively scheduled for February 2007. There are both environmental science and geology programs available at Al-Fateh University, and graduate programs in environment and water science available through the Academy for Graduate Studies (AGS). Dr. Saad Al-Ghariani, a former UC Davis student, and Staff Member of the AGS is a cooperative interlocutor concerning the state of Environmental and Water education, and is frequently available to discuss water and water policy with visiting delegations. -------------- WATER: WHERE THE U.S. HAS NOT ENGAGED: -------------- ¶13. The many fact finding and technical delegations that have visited Libya have understandably been involved in programs focused primarily on enhanced engagement with Libyan scientists from nuclear, chemical and biological backgrounds. Other entities within Libya that have a focus on water and water legislation have not been as actively engaged such as the General People's Committee for Agriculture, Animals and Water Resources (GPCA),and the Great Man Made River Authority (GMMRA). Programming is not currently underway with the GMMRA, primarily as it is a well-funded and fairly self-sufficient entity. The GMMRA positions and input will become increasingly important, however, as Libya creeps toward a unified water policy. The GMMRA is naturally less interested in desalination technology than pumping from existing aquifers, but should be brought to the table to discuss Libya's larger strategy. The GPCA has not been engaged primarily because they are viewed as a customer or consumer. Again, as a unified policy on water management becomes a reality, the largest users/consumers are going to need to provide input. -------------- COMMERCIAL/TRADE and TRANSPORTATION: -------------- See subtopics of updated trade export restrictions, Boeing Commercial Advocacy, Civil Aviation, and Conferences. -------------- UPDATED TRADE EXPORT RESTRICTIONS: -------------- ¶14. The U.S. Department of Commerce published an amendment to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that apply to Libya. This change removed the requirement for a license to export or re-export items controlled for anti-terrorism (AT) reasons. With the change, items such as most computers, software, telecommunications equipment and vehicles can be exported to Libya without a Commerce export license. The BIS team addressed questions about the EAR change, which put Libya on a par with most US export destinations, noting that many of the commodities being checked would no longer require licenses for export and re-export to Libya. -------------- BOEING COMMERCIAL ADVOCACY -------------- ¶15. Dr. David Sampson, Deputy Secretary for U.S. Department of Commerce visited the Libyan General People's Committee for Economy Trade and Investment (GPCETI) and discussed economic policy and trade issues. Among the issues discussed were the September 2006 restructuring of export restrictions to Libya, and the acquisition of Boeing passenger aircraft by Baraq Airlines in Libya. Boeing Advocacy also took place during a recent EXIM Bank and BIS visits. ¶16. Buraq received its first new Boeing aircraft, a medium-range airplane 737-800 dubbed "Tripoli" on October 30. This delivery marked the first brand new commercial aircraft purchased by any Libyan airline since 1979. A ceremony on the occasion of its arrival at Tripoli International Airport was held the evening of October 30, attended by the Charge and representatives from Boeing, Secretary of Cooperation Affairs at GPC for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Secretary of People's Committee for Civil Aviation Department, the Director of Tripoli International Airport, the Director of Air Transport Department and members of the press. A second 737-800 ("Benghazi") is due to be delivered on November 15, and a third is expected in early 2007. Buraq has options to purchase three more 737-800's, but is considering exchanging the options for one to purchase a wide body plane. -------------- CIVIL AVIATION: -------------- ¶17. In addition to the GPCETI, DepSec Sampson met with Dr. Mohamed Schlebik, the Director General of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, under the General People's Committee for Post Transport and Telecommunications (GPCPTT). They discussed cooperation in air traffic control equipment, runway refinishing and unification of weather database and tracking systems. In September 2006, the regional manager for Raytheon in North Africa visited Dr. Schlebik and is engaging in ongoing discussions concerning civil aviation product sales to Libya. The door to the civil aviation market remains open to other U.S. manufacturers. -------------- CONFERENCES PROMOTING COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN LIBYA 2006: -------------- ¶18. The second annual Libyan Aviation Exposition 2006 (LAVEX), scheduled for December 04-07 2006 in Tripoli's Ma'atiqa Airfield will provide opportunities for U.S. aerospace manufacturers to demonstrate U.S. equipment as well as broker introductions between U.S. manufacturers and Libyan decision makers. More than 35 Libyan and foreign companies are expected to participate, including U.S. firms Augusta, Africair and Raytheon. European defense firms are expected to make a strong showing at the exhibition, including Airbus, Eurocopter, Dassault Aviation, Thales, Warner Lewis, Safran, MBDA and sevaral Russian companies. In addition, during the same dates, two simultaneous civilian / commercial expositions will take place in Tripoli: --Project Libya Energy Exposition: An International Oil, Gas, Power and Renewable Energy Exhibition Forum sponsored by the GPC for Industry, Electricity and Mines, National Oil Corporation and the General Electric Company of Libya (GECOL). --Project Libya Infrastructure Exhibition: An International Exhibition and Forum for Libya's Infrastructure sponsored by the GPC for Planning, the General Board of Infrastructure and Urban Development, and the Inspector General of Housing and Utilities. The Project Libya exhibitions are sponsored by Dr. Aisha Muammar Al-Qadhafi through her Wa'atassemo Foundation (Aisha is the Daughter of the Libyan Leader Mu'anmmar al-Qadhafi.) GOLDRICH