SIERRA LEONE: DEMARCHE ON KEY U.S. OBJECTIVES AT

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000293 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TBIO AORC SL SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: DEMARCHE ON KEY U.S. OBJECTIVES AT THE ANNUAL WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY REF: SECSTATE 61739 FREETOWN 152 ¶1. On May 8, PolOff met with Deputy Minister of Health Ibrahim Sesay to deliver reftel points. Sesay said Minister of Health Abbator Thomas and a small delegation would attend the Assembly. Sesay promised to forward the points to Thomas as she had already departed Sierra Leone for Geneva via London. He said the delegation would arrive in Geneva around May 14. ¶2. Sesay said the GOSL was very attentive to these issues after it experienced an earlier scare with Avian Flu. He felt that Sierra Leone was moving forward with its preparedness but continued to be hindered by limited capacity and financial resources. He said the GOSL would welcome any assistance the USG could offer. ¶3. On May 8, DCM also shared reftel points with Sierra Leone MFA Director General Ambassador Umaru Wurie. Ambassador Wurie offered no specific comment at that time and understood that we would be approaching the Ministry of Health as well. HULL