US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1730

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001730 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO, KSCA, EAGR, ECON, PREL, SOCI, AM, WHO 
SUBJECT: ARMENIA JOINS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN 
AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA 
 
REF: A) STATE 175585 B) YEREVAN 1641 C) YEREVAN 1562 
 
1. (U) On September 27, CDA Godfrey met with Armenian 
Minister of Health Norayr Davidian to discuss the 
International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, 
invite Armenia to participate in the Senior Officials Meeting 
and pass reftel A points.  Prof. Vladimir Davidyants, the 
GOAM point of contact for avian flu, also attended the 
meeting.  The Minister told us that the GOAM would like to be 
included in international efforts to combat avian flu and 
asked that Armenia be listed as one of the countries that 
supports the joint statement.  Given the short notice, he 
said that it would be difficult for him to attend the Senior 
Officials Meeting.  He indicated that Armenia's Embassy in 
Washington would likely send a representative to the meeting 
and agreed to try to provide us with a complete list of the 
GOAM delegation by September 30. 
 
2. (U) Davidyants briefed the CDA on the status of the 
National Preparedness Plan (the Plan) for responding to a 
possible avian flu outbreak (reftel C).  He said that the 
Plan is complete and is being circulated among the 
appropriate Ministries for final review and approval. 
According to Davidyants, the finalized Plan should be 
available by October 2.  Davidyants reiterated the GOAM's 
earlier request (reftel C) that an expert from the Centers 
for Disease Control (CDC) review and comment on the Plan. 
GODFREY