INDONESIA - WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY DEMARCHE

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001331 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, IO and ISN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO SUBJECT: INDONESIA - WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY DEMARCHE REF: STATE 61739 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: We delivered reftel demarche to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) on May 9 and the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) on May 10. Siuaji Raja, Deputy Director for Socio Cultural Affairs and International Organizations at DEPLU, told us that the Government of Indonesia (GOI) would likely raise Indonesia's concerns on the sample sharing issue at the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an initial step, with the possibility of introducing the issues again at the United Nations (UN). NIHRD Director Dr. Triono Soendoro told us that Minister of Health Fadilah Supari has requested ten minutes of speaking time during the WHA opening session to explain Indonesia's position and dispel "inaccurate press reporting." Triono also requested a meeting between the GOI delegation to the WHA and key U.S. policymakers, and expressed concern about the media's coverage of the sample sharing issue. End Summary. DEPLU Demarche -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In response to our demarche, Raja told us that the Minister of Health recently created a new position within her ministry to oversee global health and foreign policy (GHFP). He stated that Indonesia is one of eight nations in an informal GHFP working group. Raja noted that the Minister appointed a senior Ministry of Health official to oversee this office and represent these concerns at the WHA, and that Indonesia believes health issues are foreign policy issues. He said the GOI may raise its GHFP concerns at the UN. Ministry of Health NIHRD Demarche -------------- ¶3. (SBU) During our May 10 meeting, Triono said he understood the U.S. position and requested to meet "behind the scenes," without the media present, with Secretary Leavitt or key US policy maker(s). He noted that a possible meeting before or on the sides of the WHA would help "avoid misunderstandings." If both sides cannot meet during the WHA, Triono said he hoped to arrange a meeting at a later date. Triono added that he understood the formal nature of the demarche, but said "there is always room to discuss." ¶4. (SBU) Triono also claimed that the media has continually misquoted the Ministry of Health in its coverage of the sample sharing issue. He explained that this was one of the reasons the Minister had requested ten minutes of speaking time early during the WHA to present Indonesia's position and "dispel misunderstandings." He further stated that he would not meet with the media regarding sample sharing until after the WHA. Triono added that the smallpox issue comes up every year and would not likely be a point of contention. Composition of Indonesian Delegation -------------- ¶5. (U) The Ministry of Health provided the following information on the composition of Indonesia's delegation to the WHA: Minister of Health Fadilah Supari (delegation head) Dr. Triono Soendoro, NIHRD Director General Dr. I Nyoman Kandun, Director General for Disease Control and Environmental Health Sri Astuti Soeparmanto, Directorate General for People's Health Care Dr. Indriyono Tantoro, expert staff for Protection of Health Risk Factors Dr. Widjaja Lukiyo, Special Staff for Public Health Dr. Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib, Food and Drug Agency Dr. Budihardja, Head of Planning and Budget Dr. Abdurrachman, Head of the Center for Health Development Study Dr. Titte Kabul Adimidjaja, Secretary to NIHRD Dr. Lily S. Sulistyowati, Head of Public Communication R.J. Sukowidodo, Head of Health Development Studies Dr. Murti Utami, Head of Administration and Protocol Dr. Eryta Widhayani, Ministry of Health Makhya Suminar, Multilateral Affairs, DEPLU HEFFERN