BAKRIE DESCRIBES GATES FOUNDATION AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000126 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG AND OES USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/ABHAT/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED CASC EAGR AMGT PGOV ID SUBJECT: BAKRIE DESCRIBES GATES FOUNDATION AGENDA REF: Jakarta 68 1.(SBU) Summary. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie told the Ambassador on January 21 that a five-member delegation planned to visit the Gates Foundation in Seattle on February 5 to discuss health concerns and Indonesia's interest in expanding access to computers. Bakrie noted that the Indonesian delegation would make presentations to the Foundation's Global Health Program on HIV/AIDS and avian influenza and may also discuss tuberculosis. The Ambassador described growing concerns about Indonesia's handling of avian influenza, noting that the Foundation may be more receptive to other health collaboration. Bakrie expressed interest in joining the delegation if the Foundation could change the date. End Summary. Proposed Visit to Gates Foundation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador requested a meeting with Bakrie after learning of his proposed February 5 visit to the Gates Foundation through a Microsoft contact. Bakrie told the Ambassador that the Indonesia government had exchanged letters with Dr. Tadataka Yamada, President of Global Health Program, and planned to send a five-member delegation to visit the Foundation on February 5. Bakrie explained that Indonesia is seeking programmatic support from both Microsoft and the Gates Foundation on computer and health concerns. Increasing Access to Computers -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Bakrie hopes that Microsoft can help Indonesia expand access to computers in schools and throughout the country. Indonesia currently has one computer for every 1,000 people. With a goal of providing one computer for every 20 people, Indonesia will seek Microsoft assistance in providing software for one million computers. Bakrie also hopes Microsoft will use its contacts to help persuade other information technology companies to provide hardware. The Ambassador noted that Nicholas Negroponte leads One Laptop per Child and offered to help make contact. Health Challenges of AI, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Bakrie described Indonesia's planned presentations to the Foundation on both avian influenza and HIV/AIDS. The Ambassador noted that Indonesia and the Gates Foundation could benefit from a friendly but frank discussion of health issues. The Ambassador cautioned that the Gates Foundation may not be receptive to proposed collaboration on AI, noting growing international concerns about Indonesia's continued refusal to share samples while its avian influenza fatality rate is increasing and cases continue to occur in Tangerang, the district adjacent to the international airport. Bakrie noted that sample sharing would need to be worked out in accordance with Geneva talks and dismissed the severity of the AI problem, stating that tuberculosis is really the bigger crisis that continues to be ignored. The Ambassador encouraged Bakrie to raise tuberculosis concerns with the Foundation. Delegation Members -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Bakrie expressed interest in joining the GOI delegation if the Foundation could change the date. Current members of the delegation include: -- Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, Secretary to the National AIDS Commission -- Dr. Broto Wasisto, Head of the Ministry of Health Committee on Drug Control -- Tantri Yuliandini, National AIDS Resource Center Coordinator -- Bayu Krisnamurthi, Executive Secretary, National Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness JAKARTA 00000126 002 OF 002 -- Dr. Heru Setijanto, Secretary, National Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness. HUME