ESTONIA AGREES WITH U.S. ON OIE PARTICIPATION

UNCLAS TALLINN 000329 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAGR AORG TW CH EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA AGREES WITH U.S. ON OIE PARTICIPATION BY CHINA AND TAIWAN Ref: STATE 67444 (SBU) On May 18, Poloff delivered reftel points to Andres Talvik, MFA Asia Division Director, and discussed China and Taiwan's membership bids in the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). According to Talvik, the GOE fully agrees with the United States that the OIE is not the proper forum to discuss China/Taiwan policy. Moreover, due to the global threat of communicable diseases like SARS and Avian flu, Talvik said the GOE agrees with the USG that a postponement of the vote on the PRC resolution would be the best compromise solution for both parties to save face and ensure both Chinese and Taiwanese participation in the OIE. As the EU will ultimately take a single bloc position, Talvik said Estonia will argue strenuously in EU fora for the EU to back a postponement of the vote. However, given that there are a number of EU member states which support the PRC resolution, Talvik was not certain what position the EU would eventually take. PHILLIPS