AVIAN INFLUENZA - U/S DOBRIANSKY MEETS WITH KOMNAS CHIEF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003025 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR G, G/AIG, G/AIAG AND OES USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED CASC EAGR AMGT PGOV ID SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA - U/S DOBRIANSKY MEETS WITH KOMNAS CHIEF 1.(SBU) National Committee on Avian Influenza Management and Pandemic Alert (KOMNAS) Secretary Bayu Krisnamurthi described likely elements of an Indonesian package on sample sharing and praised USG contributions towards avian influenza control during an October 25 meeting with Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky and Ambassador Cameron Hume. The Under Secretary impressed upon Bayu USG avian influenza virus sample sharing views, stressing Washington's concerns about the serious risks associated with not sharing viruses. The Ambassador provided Bayu with a summary of confirmed cases that show GOI had only shared samples from four of 30 cases since the impasse started. End Summary. GOI General Objectives -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During an October 25 meeting with Under Secretary Dobriansky and Ambassador Hume, Bayu noted that the Minister of Health has the lead on representing Indonesia's views on sample sharing but that both he and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Abizural Bakrie are following the discussions. Bayu then described Indonesia's general objectives that would result following resolution of the sample sharing impasse. These included: -- access to vaccine during a pandemic; -- long term development of WHO referral laboratory capacity; -- and long term development of Indonesian vaccine production capacity. ¶3. (SBU) Bayu elaborated that Indonesia believes that the world needs to increase both vaccine production capability and the number of WHO AI referral laboratories. Indonesia would like to be considered as an additional site for both laboratory capacity and vaccine production. Indonesia realizes that it can't achieve these objectives on its own and would need to partner with and seek assistance from developed countries. Bayu noted that the U.S. was the ideal partner, as the U.S. has the best research facilities, technology and personnel. Bayu noted that Indonesia brings certain things to the partnership table: access to the virus, demonstrated success in its polio vaccination campaign, Biosafety Level 3 laboratories coming on line, and openness to partnership. Praise for USG Contributions in AI -------------- ;¶4. (U) Bayu also praised the USG for its contributions in controlling avian influenza, noting that the US had contributed more than any other country in combating the disease. Bayu noted that the AI challenge is beyond vaccine and medicine. Indonesia must strengthen its emergency and patient care infrastructure -- everything from ambulances to isolation rooms -- in order to handle a possible pandemic. US Position: Time to Come to the Table -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Under Secretary impressed uponBQayu USG avian influenza virus sample sharing views, stressing Washington's concerns about the seroous risks associated with not sharing samples. SheQ acknowledged both Indonesian concerns and WHO support actions to improve the current system and ep and access to all countries. She described limitations in vaccine supply based on current egg-based technology in all countries and stressed that long term solutions will need to support the critical public health activities of the WHO and maintain the private sector incentives for development of vaccines by all nations. ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Hume provided Bayu with a summary of confirmed cases that showed GOI had only shared samples from four of 30 cases since the impasse started. WHO could fully characterize only one of these four samples. Hume noted that senior GOI officials have told US counterparts that Indonesia is sharing samples, resulting in misleading impressions. Hume noted that Indonesia had caught the world's attention by withholding samples, but is now overplaying its hand. Hume stressed the need for countries to reduce the differences in positions during the November WHA meetings and to look for solutions. Hume also reported that National Institute of JAKARTA 00003025 002 OF 002 Health senior officials will visit Indonesia in November and could meet to describe general vaccine development and production issues, including investment in latest technologies. ¶7. (SBU) Bayu expressed interest in the NIH meetings and also asked for follow-on meetings with the Ambassador on other issues relating to agriculture. He thanked both the Under Secretary and Ambassador for the candid exchange of views and hoped for progress in the November meetings. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: This is the first meeting that Bayu acknowledged detailed understanding of the Indonesian sample sharing position; previously he has always denied much knowledge of the issue. Embassy believes that Bayu will immediately pass conversations from the Under Secretary's meeting on to Minister Bakrie and other officials within the GOI. Although Minister Supari will remain the figurehead lead on this issue, we believe Bayu's and Bakrie's input will be influential in developing the Indonesian position. Continued engagement with Bayu and Bakrie may result in pressure on the Ministry of Health for faster and more reasonable resolution of these very complicated issues. HUME