AUSTRIA ACCEPTS INVITAION FOR SIDE EVENT AT AVIAN

UNCLAS VIENNA 000093 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/IHA (JSBLODGETT),EUR/ERA (ACARNIE) AND EUR/AGS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KSCA AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ACCEPTS INVITAION FOR SIDE EVENT AT AVIAN FLU CONFERENCE IN BEJING REF: STATE 2890 ¶1. We conveyed reftel nvitation for the USG side meetings at the Pledgng Conference on Avian Flu in Beijing to Hubert Habcik, General Director for Public Health at the Mnistry of Health and to Thomas Buchsbaum, Head o the MFA's Department for Social and Healt Affairs. Buchsbaum told us that Minister of Health Maria Rauch-Kallat will lead the Austrian delegation. Hrabcik and Clemens Auer, Rauch- Kallat's Chief of Staff, will also attend. ¶2. Minister Rauch-Kallat will depart Beijing January 18. Hrabcik and Buchsbaum will depart mid-day January 19, but both are willing to attend a side meeting early morning on January 19. ¶3. Hrabcik indicated that the GoA, especially in its capacity as EU President, welcomes a discussion on IPAPI. He proposed two subjects, which Austria is keen to discuss with the USG. One is the development of cell cultures for vaccines and their clinical implementation. Hrabcik pointed out that an Austrian-based subsidiary of the U.S. firm Baxter is leading the research effort in this area. Second, Austria would like to develop a mechanism to ensure that sufficient antivirals remain available for routine influenza treatment, as governments continue to stockpile for a pandemic. ¶4. Following is contact information for the Austrian delegation: Dr. Hubert Hrabcik, General Director for Public Health, Ministry of Health and Women, phone: +43-1- 7110004719, e-mail: hubert.hrabcik@bmgf.gv.at. Dr. Thomas Buchsbaum, Head of the MFA's Department for Social and Health Policy, phone: +43-0501150-3576 or +43-676-8999-3576, e-mail: thomas.buchsbaum@bmaa.gv.at. MCCAW#