IAEA NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS DEPARTMENT REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000329 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MNSA, IO/T, ISN/NESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC ENRG TRGY EAID KNNP IAEA SUBJECT: IAEA NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS DEPARTMENT REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT IN HUMAN HEALTH PROGRAMS REF: (A) RUDOLPH-AMUNDSON EMAIL 7/6/09 (B) SCHELAND-RUDOLPH EMAIL 7/2/09 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) Msnoffs met with Andy Garner, Programme Co-Ordinator, Office of the IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Applications (NA), to discuss two IAEA requests: for USG assistance in strengthening the on-going Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) research at the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Lab; and, providing the Program of Action on Cancer Therapies (PACT) with a health economist. Specifically, the IAEA requests U.S. funding for two projects related to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): 1) Assistance to expand the mosquito growing program at the lab to improve malaria research and 2) replacement of a non-functioning Cs-137 gamma irradiator in Burkina Faso, used in SIT for Tsetse flies, with a RS-2400 X-ray irradiator. Failure to replace the gamma irradiator could cause the existing tsetse fly colonies to fail. Turning to PACT, the IAEA hopes to receive agreement from the USG that a health economist will be provided on a cost free basis in the near future. Garner stressed that NA is seeking to expand the PACT business model to other areas within the division - currently hydrology is being evaluated as a possible test case. Given a new emphasis on climate change/environment, Garner also mentioned NA is seeking a greater role for the Marine Environment Lab in Monaco and would like to engage constructively with Member States on ways to enhance public recognition of the IAEA's work in this area. -------------- SIT Request -------------- ¶2. (U) Mission received a letter (ref A) from IAEA DDG Burkart requesting $120,000 to expand mosquito production for SIT, a control tactic used to combat malaria, at the IAEA's Seibersdorf lab. Garner said the lab is working on new methods to produce higher numbers of mosquitoes per day (currently only 100,000 can be produced) which will help in testing management methods of yields and train Member State nationals prior to transfer of SIT technology. The requests entails funding for off-the-shelf and custom equipment, shop labor, and procurement of materials such as larval mosquito trays, custom racks, pupa/larva separation devices, adult holding cages, and cleaning equipment. ¶3. (U) Mission also received a letter (ref B) from DDG Burkart requesting $190,000 to replace the Centre International de Recherche-Developpment sur l'Elevage en zone Sub-humide (CIRDES) Cesium-137 gamma irradiator in Burkina Faso with an RS-2400 X-ray irradiator from a U.S. company, Rad Source Technologies Inc. CIRDES is the only regional research center for animal health in West Africa, and has played a central role in the introduction of SIT to the region, primarily to combat the Tsetse fly. CIRDES possesses a Cs-137 gamma irradiator to sterilize male insects and decontaminate blood diet for tsetse colonies. The irradiator is currently thirty-six years old, and has begun to malfunction. Garner warned that failure to replace the irradiator threatens the colonies that have been produced thus far and the project generally. The IAEA requests approval by the U.S. to make available the RS-2400 x-ray irradiator to CIRDES. Regarding the removal of the Cs-137 source, Garner said discussion in-house continue. He said Nuclear Security (NS) would prefer source removed from country and has suggested that the source be returned to the original supplier - France. -------------- PACT - HEALTH ECONOMIST -------------- ¶4. (U) Garner also expressed satisfaction for Member State support of PACT and hope that the IAEA budget negotiations would provide PACT with baseline funding for operations. According to Garner NA is currently evaluating where else the PACT business model could be applied within the division. Hydrology is being evaluated on its potential to follow a PACT model, however, a final decision has not been made. Garner added that it was his understanding that USG would provide a CFE health economist to PACT in the near future. He is hopeful that a health economist will provide added value to PACT effectiveness as it expands. -------------- MONACO ON THE MAP AGAIN -------------- ¶5. (U) Garner opined that USG support for the Monaco Marine Environment Lab (MEL) has weakened recently with the departure of the lone American employee. Garner floated the option of the U.S. providing a CFE with scientific modeling experience as a potential way to "get back in". Msnoffs agreed with Garner that MEL research and its new focus on climate change and ocean acidification are not well known beyond the scientific community. Garner admitted more work is needed to explain and publicize the laboratory's role. Msnoff noted recent U.S. Coast Guard visit at MEL and work with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as potential success stories. Garner said there are plans to offer an IAEA presentation on the Agency's work in climate change at this year's Copenhagen Conference. NA has also prepared a position paper/brochure that will be available at the conference. PYATT