Cablegate: Biosecurity Engagement Program Mou Status Update

VZCZCXRO3115
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1409 2040914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220914Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9610
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJB/DOJ WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7807

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001409

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, L/DL, EAP/EX, AND OES/IHA
USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL
DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH
DEPT ALSO PASS TO DOJ for OFL
GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN
USDA/FAS/OSTA BRANT, ROSENBLUM
USDA/APHIS ANNELLI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR AMGT PGOV ID KLIG
SUBJECT: BIOSECURITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM MOU STATUS UPDATE

REF: A) JAKARTA 01336 B) JAKARTA 01257

1. (SBU) Andy Rachmianto at the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DEPLU) plans to host an interagency meeting in mid-August, with the
Ministries of Health, Research and Technology, and Agriculture to
identify any difficulties to approving the Biosecurity Engagement
Program (BEP) MOU originally scheduled to be signed 26 June. (REF
A) Rachmianto recommended that BEP hold off on sending large
equipment intended for its partner institutions since the MOU
primarily provides a tax exemption for equipment and other large
purchases.

2. (SBU) Rachmianto suggested that Foreign Minister Wirajuda himself
postponed the MOU signing after the BEP MOU was brought up during
the 25 June hearing on NAMRU-2. (REF B) Rachmianto expressed
disbelief that copies of the MOU had been circulated around
Parliament.

HUME

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