AVIAN INFLUENZA: APPROACH TO NEW INDONESIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 141771 SIPDIS SIPDIS GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017 TAGS: PREL KFLU AMED CASC EAGR EAID ID SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: APPROACH TO NEW INDONESIAN HEALTH POLICY ADVISER LUKITO REF: A. A) JAKARTA 2663 ¶B. B) JAKARTA 2734 Classified By: EAP DAS Scott Marciel in accordance with E.O. 12958 for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador Hume met September 28 with an interagency group in Washington comprised of representatives from State, NSC, HSC, USDA, DOD, HHS and USAID to discuss the avian influenza sample sharing and benefits issues. There was general agreement that we should not close the door to informal, bilateral, non-binding exchanges with the Indonesians in the run-up to the November WHO Intergovernmental meeting, even as we separately continue discuss- ions with like-minded and other governments. Participants in the meeting also agreed that there was nothing in the three elements laid out by newly-designated Adviser for sample sharing/benefits Dr. Widjaja Lukito (ref B) that would prevent us from further discussions on an informal basis to clarify Indonesia,s goals and objectives. ¶2. (C) As Embassy Jakarta suggested to Lukito, the first opportu- nity for a Washington-based member of the U.S. API team to raise with Lukito the elements of Indonesia,s (GOI) latest position (as outlined ref B) would be on the margins of the Chatham House Conference on &Pandemic Flu: Toward an Effective Global Pre- paredness Policy8 in London, October 17-18. Ambassador John Lange, the Department,s Special Representative on Avian and Pandemic Influenza and Senior Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Action Group, will make a keynote presentation at the Chatham House meeting. ¶3. (C) Accordingly, Embassy Jakarta should meet with Lukito prior to his departure for the Chatham Houseconference to explore in more detail the GOI,s thinking regarding the three elements pre- sented by Lukito. Embassy should also inform Dr. Lukito that Ambassador Lange and other USG officials at the Chatham House conference are available for informal discussions on the margins of the conference. ¶4. (C) During your meeting with Dr. Lukito, you may draw on the following points, as appropriate. --The U.S. is determined to work with its international partners to ensure the continuation and efficacy of the GISN. The GISN remains central to the protection of global public health. --Within that context, we are willing to listen to the GOI,s views on the issue of benefits outlined in your (Dr. Lukito,s) initial presentation of Indonesia,s views to us. -- Unfortunately, since the beginning of this year, the situation with respect to sample sharing within the GISN has clouded issues related to the fight against the threat from H5N1 and Pandemic Influenza. Our goal is to obtain a clearer understanding on Indonesia's goals and objectives in an informal setting and on a confidential basis. SIPDIS --Ambassador John Lange, Special Representative, Avian and Pande- mic Influenza, and David Hohman, the Health Attache in our Mis- sion in Geneva, will attend the Chatham House Conference October 17-18 and would be available to meet with you informally. End points ¶5. (C) With regard to Ref A,s recommendation for sharing U.S. vaccine stockpiles, the Department believes that this proposal should not be pursued at this time. RICE