DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON BAMAKO CONFERENCE ON AVIAN

UNCLAS VIENNA 003477 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR KFLU TBIO PREL EAID AU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON BAMAKO CONFERENCE ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA REF: STATE 190899 ¶1. EconPolOff delivered reftel demarche on November 29 to Christian Lassmann, the Austrian MFA's Deputy Director for Social and Health Issues. Lassmann acknowledged the importance of the conference. He promised to pass on USG concerns and interest in the success of the conference to the Ministry of Health, which has the lead on this issue. Additionally, he promised to relay to us any information regarding the composition of the Austrian delegation. ¶2. According to Lassmann, Austria would most likely not make additional contributions to Avian and Pandemic Influenza programs at the present. There is still no new government after national elections in October and the GoA is operating within a "provisional budget," the equivalent of a "continuing resolution," with no additional funds available. MCCAW