Wikileaks - CCXLVII
49458 1/10/2006 11:05 06MASERU8 Embassy Maseru UNCLASSIFIED 06STATE232766 VZCZCXRO7009 PP RUEHDU RUEHJO DE RUEHMR #0008 0101105 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 101105Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1791 INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0016 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0004 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0010 RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 0002 RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0008 RUEHWD/AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 0041 RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 0005 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0501 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0003 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0002 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 0002 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0002 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0005 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0002 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 0002 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA 0002 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0005 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 0002 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0010 RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 0002 RUEHLE/AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG 0002 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 0002 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 0002 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0002 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0002 RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 0004 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0002 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0008 RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0002 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0031 RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2042 UNCLAS MASERU 000008
SIPDIS
SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED DEPT FOR IO/T - BLACKWOOD, HHS/GLOBAL HEALTH AFFAIRS - PARTRIDGE
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL, AORC, TBIO, WHO, LT SUBJECT: WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD: LESOTHO'S POSITION ON SMALLPOX AGENDA ITEM
REF: STATE 232766
1. (U) Lesotho's Minister of Health Phooko concurred with USG position regarding WHO Smallpox Agenda Item during January 9 discussion with Ambassador. Following review of talking points (reftel), Dr. Phooko stated that the concern of WHO Regional Committee for Africa was a desire for transparency and inclusivity in research activities. Phooko was especially interested in knowing the names of African experts/scientists who might be part of research teams. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests HHS forward this information to us in a timely manner before the GOL/WHO delegation departs for Geneva o/a January 21.
2. (SBU) Minister Phooko also alluded to the Regional Committee's concern about misuse of existing virus stockpiles in bioterrorism. He indicated that least developed countries were especially vulnerable to potential attacks. At the same time, he agreed that continued research is needed for the development of better diagnostic tools, development of effective anti-viral drugs and production of improved and safer smallpox vaccines.
3. (SBU) Comment: Minister Phooko took the lead for the Africa Regional Committee last year and is expected to be leader during this session also. He is in agreement with the U.S. position and said he would advance it during the upcoming meeting.
PERRY
