Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CHISINAU268
2008-03-11 12:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

MOLDOVA: AVIAN INFLUENZA AND TRANSNISTRIA

Tags:  PREL EAGR KFLU TBIO MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCH #0268/01 0711204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111204Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6410
INFO RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA 0681
UNCLAS CHISINAU 000268 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAGR KFLU TBIO MD
SUBJECT: MOLDOVA: AVIAN INFLUENZA AND TRANSNISTRIA


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

UNCLAS CHISINAU 000268

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAGR KFLU TBIO MD
SUBJECT: MOLDOVA: AVIAN INFLUENZA AND TRANSNISTRIA


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: USDA'S Foreign Agricultural Service has approved
funding for a targeted technical assistance project on Avian
Influenza (AI) in the Transnistrian (TN) region of Moldova.
Although we face political constraints, TN officials are receptive
to the idea, acknowledging that they are not prepared for an AI
outbreak. USDA will coordinate efforts with USAID's regional AI
project, which also plans TN outreach. These efforts will bring
much needed technical assistance to TN, increasing capacity,
ensuring human safety, and helping to build linkages between the
left and right banks of the Dniester River. END SUMMARY.

MEETING THE "MINISTER" OF HEALTH AND CHIEF VET
-------------- -


2. (SBU) On March 6, econoff and regional agricultural counselor
Susan Reid met with Transnistrian "minister" of health Ivan
Tkachenko, deputy "minister" Svetlana Arkadieva, and chief
veterinary officer (CVO) Valerii Tkachenko in Tiraspol to discuss
USDA's planned technical assistance project. Indicative of the
political obstacles our efforts in TN face, emboffs were delayed one
hour at the "internal border" by the TN migration service. Finally,
emboffs were allowed to enter after Tkachenko spoke directly with TN
"president" Smirnov. (NOTE: Transnistria is a separatist region
outside the control of the central government in Chisinau. END
NOTE.)


3. (SBU) Tkachenko, who serves as the TN humanitarian assistance
coordinator, apologized for the delay, noting that TN was open to
all humanitarian assistance. Tkachenko acknowledged that AI was a
global health threat that did not respect internal political
differences. Reid noted USDA's efforts around the world to combat
and manage AI outbreaks. She explained that USDA's proposal for
Moldova focused on a joint technical conference for left- and
right-bank Moldovan veterinarians and a public education campaign in
TN.


4. (SBU) Tkachenko responded that TN had limited contact with
Moldovan Government (GOM) veterinarians, but welcomed training for
TN veterinarians. He added that TN had an agreement on cooperation
with the GOM in the health sector. He hoped that joint training
might lead to a similar agreement with the GOM on veterinary
cooperation. Separately, CVO Tkachenko noted that he enjoyed good
relations with Chisinau, spoke informally with GOM veterinary
officials when needed, and sent samples for testing to GOM
laboratories.

TN LACKS CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO AN AI OUTBREAK
-------------- -


5. (SBU) The minister and CVO Tkachenko noted that TN veterinarians
had received basic AI training; however, they lacked training
materials and technical capacity to respond to an AI outbreak. Reid
explained that because of limited funding, USDA could not organize a
full-scale simulation exercise in Moldova. However, she offered to
fund the participation of one TN veterinarian at an upcoming
USDA-USAID sponsored conference in Bulgaria, which will include a
large-scale field exercise. (NOTE: We will follow up directly with
the "minister," reiterating that the person nominated will be
considered a technical expert, not/not a representative of the TN
authorities. END NOTE.)


6. (SBU) In a separate meeting, TN veterinary officials were very
receptive to the USDA proposal and offered to cover travel, hotel,
meals, and conference venue expenses for the participants. USDA is
re-working the project's budget to see what additional activities
might be conducted with the freed-up funds.


7. (SBU) USAID local staff informed Reid that USAID had a final
approved work plan for AI assistance to Moldova which included one
activity in TN this summer. Emboffs' recent meetings in TN have set
the stage for the USAID project to proceed jointly with the USDA
project.

BROADENING SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT
--------------


8. (SBU) In an effort to build broad political support for the AI
project, emboffs also briefed Evgenia Petrova, Economic Adviser to
the Speaker of the TN Supreme Soviet (parliament). Petrova welcomed
the briefing and promised to inform Speaker Shevchuk. She also
suggested the possibility of future financial support from the
Supreme Soviet. Emboffs promised to keep her informed as the
project moved forward.

COMMENT
--------------

9. (SBU) The unexpected offers of financial support from both the
Economic Adviser and the CVO show a real interest in working with us
on this project. We understand that political constraints could
limit our efforts; however, we are committed to expanding our TN
engagement. Not only can this project address a public health
threat, but it can also help build bridges between the left and
right banks.

KIRBY