Cablegate: Manila Pathogen Security Legal Workshop 9/27-28

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #3643 3180515
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 140515Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8854
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 003643

SIPDIS

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E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PARM PREL TBIO RP

SUBJECT: MANILA PATHOGEN SECURITY LEGAL WORKSHOP 9/27-28

1. The State Department Office of Chemical and Biological Weapons
Threat Reduction (CB), Bureau of International Security and
Non-proliferation (ISN), led a two-day workshop on legal issues
associated with the implementation of the Biological Weapons
Convention (BWC) and pathogen security practices on September 27 and
28 in Manila, Philippines. Philippine participants welcomed the
opportunity to interact with experts and expressed their interest in
further training on the issues.

2. The State speakers explained the measures under the Biological
Weapons Convention and presented model legislation for pathogen
security.

3. The Philippine representatives indicated that they are now
developing their own standards for biosafety and biosecurity,
including defining agents, toxins, and vaccines. They said the
Philippines already has an action plan on biosafety issues, but is
still working on such a plan for biosecurity issues. The
participants agreed on the importance of the new legislation, but
also said that they receive little support or resources from their
government.

4. The 38 Philippine participants included representatives from the
following Philippine government offices: the Office of the Executive
Secretary, Presidential Situation Room, Department of National

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Defense/Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Justice,
Health Department/Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,
Department of the Interior and Local Government/Bureau of Fire
Protection, National Security Council, Department of Foreign
Affairs, University of the Philippines-Department of Pharmacology,
Department of Agriculture and the National Bureau of Investigation.

KENNEY

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