VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLI #0969 1131520
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221520Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6779
UNCLAS LISBON 000969
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/IHB JC KOWAL, OES/IB, AND IO/T ANN BLACKWOOD
HHS FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS PROGRAM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC PREL TBIO WHO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
HEALTH REGULATIONS
REF: STATE 102885
1. On April 4, poleconoff delivered reftel points to Goncalo
Silvestre, the MFA's Attache for International Organizations,
encouraging early implementation of the International Health
Regulations (IHR) in light of continuing global threats to
public health. Silvestre noted that Portugal is adopting the
common EU approach toward IHR implementation, in accordance
with the EU Directive on the subject. While recently
appointed Minister of Health Ana Jorge had no specific
updates to share, Silvestre added, Portugal already complies
with the regulations to a large degree by virtue of its
existing laws and public health system.
2. Poleconoff also shared a copy of the U.S. IHR
implementation plan. Silvestre noted that Portugal, in its
capacity as former EU President, submitted an EU declaration
in July 2007 which stated that "a Party may not invoke the
provisions of internal law as justification for its failure
to perform its international obligations," in response to
U.S. concerns that the regulations be implemented consistent
with the principles of federalism. Nevertheless, Silvestre
commented, he was pleased to see the U.S. move forward
rapidly despite its formal reservation.
Stephenson