CYPRUS: DEMARCHE ON KEY U.S. OBJECTIVES AT THE ANNUAL WORLD

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000408 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO, G/AIAG, ISN, and EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: DEMARCHE ON KEY U.S. OBJECTIVES AT THE ANNUAL WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY REF: STATE 61739 (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel request, post delivered on May 10 demarche on the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in Geneva, May 14-23, 2007, to Dr. Andreas Polynikis, Chief Health Officer at the Ministry of Health. Dr. Polynikis will represent Cyprus at the WHA. Avian Influenza -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Dr. Polynikis noted that the GoC strongly supports international cooperation on avian influenza preparedness, including the sharing of influenza virus samples. Smallpox -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Regarding smallpox, Polynikis noted that the GOC had no objection to continued research and retention of official smallpox virus stocks by the United States and the Russian Federation for scientific purposes. Cypriot Priorities -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Dr. Polynikis reported that as a small country Cyprus did not expect to be able to influence decisions at the WHA and did not have specific objectives. He noted that avian influenza preparedness is one of the GoC's main public health priorities. SCHLICHER