VZCZCXRO2513
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #3025/01 3030437
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300437Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6846
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J07/CATMED/CAT//
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8213
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1444
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1055
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7677
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003025
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G, G/AIG, G/AIAG AND OES
USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL
DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH
GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED CASC EAGR AMGT PGOV ID
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA - U/S DOBRIANSKY MEETS WITH KOMNAS CHIEF
1.(SBU) National Committee on Avian Influenza Management and
Pandemic Alert (KOMNAS) Secretary Bayu Krisnamurthi described likely
elements of an Indonesian package on sample sharing and praised USG
contributions towards avian influenza control during an October 25
meeting with Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky and Ambassador Cameron
Hume. The Under Secretary impressed upon Bayu USG avian influenza
virus sample sharing views, stressing Washington's concerns about
the serious risks associated with not sharing viruses. The
Ambassador provided Bayu with a summary of confirmed cases that show
GOI had only shared samples from four of 30 cases since the impasse
started. End Summary.
GOI General Objectives
----------------------
2. (SBU) During an October 25 meeting with Under Secretary
Dobriansky and Ambassador Hume, Bayu noted that the Minister of
Health has the lead on representing Indonesia's views on sample
sharing but that both he and Coordinating Minister for People's
Welfare Abizural Bakrie are following the discussions. Bayu then
described Indonesia's general objectives that would result following
resolution of the sample sharing impasse. These included:
-- access to vaccine during a pandemic;
-- long term development of WHO referral laboratory capacity;
-- and long term development of Indonesian vaccine production
capacity.
3. (SBU) Bayu elaborated that Indonesia believes that the world
needs to increase both vaccine production capability and the number
of WHO AI referral laboratories. Indonesia would like to be
considered as an additional site for both laboratory capacity and
vaccine production. Indonesia realizes that it can't achieve these
objectives on its own and would need to partner with and seek
assistance from developed countries. Bayu noted that the U.S. was
the ideal partner, as the U.S. has the best research facilities,
technology and personnel. Bayu noted that Indonesia brings certain
things to the partnership table: access to the virus, demonstrated
success in its polio vaccination campaign, Biosafety Level 3
laboratories coming on line, and openness to partnership.
Praise for USG Contributions in AI
-----------------------------------
4. (U) Bayu also praised the USG for its contributions in
controlling avian influenza, noting that the US had contributed more
than any other country in combating the disease. Bayu noted that
the AI challenge is beyond vaccine and medicine. Indonesia must
strengthen its emergency and patient care infrastructure --
everything from ambulances to isolation rooms -- in order to handle
a possible pandemic.
US Position: Time to Come to the Table
--------------------------------------
5. (SBU) The Under Secretary impressed uponBQayu USG avian influenza
virus sample sharing views, stressing Washington's concerns about
the seroous risks associated with not sharing samples. SheQ
acknowledged both Indonesian concerns and WHO support actions to
improve the current system and ep and access to all countries. She
described limitations in vaccine supply based on current egg-based
technology in all countries and stressed that long term solutions
will need to support the critical public health activities of the
WHO and maintain the private sector incentives for development of
vaccines by all nations.
6. (SBU) Ambassador Hume provided Bayu with a summary of confirmed
cases that showed GOI had only shared samples from four of 30 cases
since the impasse started. WHO could fully characterize only one of
these four samples. Hume noted that senior GOI officials have told
US counterparts that Indonesia is sharing samples, resulting in
misleading impressions. Hume noted that Indonesia had caught the
world's attention by withholding samples, but is now overplaying its
hand. Hume stressed the need for countries to reduce the
differences in positions during the November WHA meetings and to
look for solutions. Hume also reported that National Institute of
JAKARTA 00003025 002 OF 002
Health senior officials will visit Indonesia in November and could
meet to describe general vaccine development and production issues,
including investment in latest technologies.
7. (SBU) Bayu expressed interest in the NIH meetings and also asked
for follow-on meetings with the Ambassador on other issues relating
to agriculture. He thanked both the Under Secretary and Ambassador
for the candid exchange of views and hoped for progress in the
November meetings.
8. (SBU) Comment: This is the first meeting that Bayu acknowledged
detailed understanding of the Indonesian sample sharing position;
previously he has always denied much knowledge of the issue.
Embassy believes that Bayu will immediately pass conversations from
the Under Secretary's meeting on to Minister Bakrie and other
officials within the GOI. Although Minister Supari will remain the
figurehead lead on this issue, we believe Bayu's and Bakrie's input
will be influential in developing the Indonesian position. Continued
engagement with Bayu and Bakrie may result in pressure on the
Ministry of Health for faster and more reasonable resolution of
these very complicated issues.
HUME