NEXT STEPS RE U.S. NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000673 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, L, OES NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR TBIO AMED ID SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS RE U.S. NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT REF: JAKARTA 529 AND PREVIOUS JAKARTA 00000673 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Please see Action Request in para 5. ¶2. (SBU) The Naval Medical Research Unit in Jakarta (NAMRU-2) has just received a letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MOH) informing NAMRU that "all studies/surveillance which include transfer of biological specimens" must cease pending conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) currently being negotiated between NAMRU and the government of Indonesia. The letter, dated March 31, is signed by Triono Soendoro, Director of the National Institute of Health Research and Development within the MOH. The text of the letter, which is in English, appears in para 6 below. Mission previously sent the letter by email to Washington agencies and the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). ¶3. (SBU) IMPACT: If implemented, this directive would further limit NAMRU-2's ability to operate. NAMRU-MOH cooperation is already restricted regarding avian influenza due to the GOI,s position on sample sharing. The letter would broaden that restriction to all biological specimens. ¶4. (SBU) CONTEXT: The letter comes after several months of increasingly bizarre allegations by Indonesian Minister of Health Supari about supposed U.S. intentions to misuse Indonesian samples of avian influenza. According to reliable official sources, the GOI is becoming tired of Supari's allegations and the public misperceptions generated by her remarks. This might be an opportune time to push for conclusion of the MOU, which has been in negotiation now for nearly two years. Resumption of the negotiations could be a constructive way to widen the gap between Supari, a NAMRU opponent, and President Yudhoyono, whose office has strongly supported NAMRU. Conclusion of an MOU now would give Supari's opponents a boost. ¶5. (SBU) RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mission repeats reftel request for Washington action to conclude the inter-agency review of the current Indonesia-proposed MOU text so that Mission can resume negotiations with the GOI. ¶6. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER: National Institute of Health Research and Development T.R. Jones, Ph.D Director of NAMRU 2 Jakarta Dear Dr. Jones: Subject: Temporary Cessation of Studies As you may very well know, the collaboration between the Government of Indonesia -- through the national Institute of Health Research and Development -- with the government of the United States of America -- through NAMRU-2, Jakarta -- in research of infectious diseases was started since 1970. This collaboration has been conducted in the spirit of mutually beneficial, in order to enhance friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. We are aware that in consideration of the positive outcomes, both parties have agreed to continue this collaboration. The new MOU, that is still being negotiated, contains -- among others -- issues of studies/ surveillance which include transfer of biological specimens. According to the laws and regulations in Indonesia, each and every transfer of biological specimens to foreign institutions/countries must have a MTA (Material Transfer Agreement) document. Therefore, since negotiation of the MOU has not reached final decision yet, all studies/surveillance conducted by NAMRU-2 -- both current and new proposals -- which involve specimens from various institutions in JAKARTA 00000673 002.2 OF 002 Indonesia (Universities/Hospital/Health Centers, etc) have to be ceased temporarily until the new MOU is signed. Please be informed that we are asking all institutions in Indonesia to terminate all collaboration which involves transferring of biological specimens to NAMRU-2, unless a MTA is signed for that purpose. Thank you. Sincerely, Triono Soendoro (signature) END TEXT. HUME