US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI4481

S E C R E T TAIPEI 004481 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR EAP/RSP/TC 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO AIT/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2015 
TAGS: AMED, ETTC, PARM, TW, MTAG, CBW 
SUBJECT: TAIWAN LEVEL 4 PATHOGENS WARD 
 
REF: TAIPEI 3701 
 
Classified By: AIT Acting Director David Keegan, Reasons 1.4 b/d 
 
1.  (S//NF) Action request para 3.  On November 3, NHDetect 
CEO and President David Trudil discussed with AIT COMM and 
ECON officers a formal advocacy request that his company is 
submitting through the USDOC Advocacy Center regarding its 
bid on the first phase of a planned level 4 pathogens ward. 
Trudil explained that level 4 pathogens are 
"genetically-engineered bugs that can destroy the world;" far 
more dangerous than anthrax, SARS, or avian influenza.  He 
said Taiwan already had an operational level 4 laboratory, 
and that he had recently arranged a tour of these facilities 
for U.S. DOD and CDC personnel in exchange for DOD allowing 
Taiwan MND and CDC to tour the U.S. level 4 ward located at 
Fort Detrick, Maryland.  (AIT ECON and COMM were unaware of 
these visits.  Reftel report on the DOD tour noted that the 
Taiwan facility claims to have a sample of a smallpox strain 
that produces a 100% fatality rate.)  Trudil noted that there 
is currently only one other level 4 ward in the world, 
located in Siberia. 
 
2.  (S//NF) According to Trudil, funding for the level 4 ward 
was approved five years ago as part of Taiwan,s MND budget, 
however, the funds have since been transferred to CDC. 
Trudil claims to have known Taiwan CDC Director Steve Kuo for 
several years.  NHDetect is partnering with Battelle on the 
bid.  Trudil and Battelle National Security Division Vice 
President David Robinson will make their bid presentation to 
Taiwan CDC on November 4.  Trudil gave AIT officers copies of 
an advocacy letter from U.S. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett. 
Trudil said he was unaware of any restrictions on the export 
of equipment or technology related to level 4 pathogens, but 
that Battelle lawyers would certainly check and apply for any 
needed licenses.  Trudil also mentioned that Taiwan would be 
hosting an international biological defense conference in 
early December that would be attended by U.S. CDC and DOD 
personnel. 
 
3.  (S//NF) Action request:  Given the WMD aspects of this 
project, AIT requests Department coordinate with the Advocacy 
Center on how to respond to the advocacy request, and provide 
AIT with general guidance on what restrictions exist on the 
export of equipment and technology related to level 4 
pathogens. 
 
Keegan