VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0329/01 1910756
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 100756Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9810
INFO RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEANFA/NRC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000329 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ISN/MNSA, IO/T, ISN/NESS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC ENRG TRGY EAID KNNP IAEA
SUBJECT: IAEA NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS DEPARTMENT REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT 
IN HUMAN HEALTH PROGRAMS 
 
REF: (A) RUDOLPH-AMUNDSON EMAIL 7/6/09 (B) SCHELAND-RUDOLPH EMAIL 
7/2/09 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (U)  Msnoffs met with Andy Garner, Programme Co-Ordinator, Office 
of the IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Applications (NA), 
to discuss two IAEA requests: for USG assistance in strengthening 
the on-going Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) research at the FAO/IAEA 
Agriculture and Biotechnology Lab; and, providing the Program of 
Action on Cancer Therapies (PACT) with a health economist. 
Specifically, the IAEA requests U.S. funding for two projects 
related to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT):  1) Assistance to 
expand the mosquito growing program at the lab to improve malaria 
research and 2) replacement of a non-functioning Cs-137 gamma 
irradiator in Burkina Faso, used in SIT for Tsetse flies, with a 
RS-2400 X-ray irradiator.  Failure to replace the gamma irradiator 
could cause the existing tsetse fly colonies to fail.  Turning to 
PACT, the IAEA hopes to receive agreement from the USG that a health 
economist will be provided on a cost free basis in the near future. 
Garner stressed that NA is seeking to expand the PACT business model 
to other areas within the division - currently hydrology is being 
evaluated as a possible test case.  Given a new emphasis on climate 
change/environment, Garner also mentioned NA is seeking a greater 
role for the Marine Environment Lab in Monaco and would like to 
engage constructively with Member States on ways to enhance public 
recognition of the IAEA's work in this area. 
 
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SIT Request 
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¶2.  (U)  Mission received a letter (ref A) from IAEA DDG Burkart 
requesting $120,000 to expand mosquito production for SIT, a control 
tactic used to combat malaria, at the IAEA's Seibersdorf lab. 
Garner said the lab is working on new methods to produce higher 
numbers of mosquitoes per day (currently only 100,000 can be 
produced) which will help in testing management methods of yields 
and train Member State nationals prior to transfer of SIT 
technology.  The requests entails funding for off-the-shelf and 
custom equipment, shop labor, and procurement of materials such as 
larval mosquito trays, custom racks, pupa/larva separation devices, 
adult holding cages, and cleaning equipment. 
 
¶3.  (U)  Mission also received a letter (ref B) from DDG Burkart 
requesting $190,000 to replace the Centre International de 
Recherche-Developpment sur l'Elevage en zone Sub-humide (CIRDES) 
Cesium-137 gamma irradiator in Burkina Faso with an RS-2400 X-ray 
irradiator from a U.S. company, Rad Source Technologies Inc.  CIRDES 
is the only regional research center for animal health in West 
Africa, and has played a central role in the introduction of SIT to 
the region, primarily to combat the Tsetse fly.  CIRDES possesses a 
Cs-137 gamma irradiator to sterilize male insects and decontaminate 
blood diet for tsetse colonies.  The irradiator is currently 
thirty-six years old, and has begun to malfunction.  Garner warned 
that failure to replace the irradiator threatens the colonies that 
have been produced thus far and the project generally.  The IAEA 
requests approval by the U.S. to make available the RS-2400 x-ray 
irradiator to CIRDES. Regarding the removal of the  Cs-137 source, 
Garner said discussion in-house continue.  He said Nuclear Security 
(NS) would prefer source removed from country and has suggested that 
the source be returned to the original supplier - France. 
 
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PACT - HEALTH ECONOMIST 
----------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U)  Garner also expressed satisfaction for Member State support 
of PACT and hope that the IAEA budget negotiations would provide 
PACT with baseline funding for operations.  According to Garner NA 
is currently evaluating where else the PACT business model could be 
applied within the division.  Hydrology is being evaluated on its 
potential to follow a PACT model, however, a final decision has not 
been made.  Garner added that it was his understanding that USG 
would provide a CFE health economist to PACT in the near future.  He 
is hopeful that a health economist will provide added value to PACT 
effectiveness as it expands. 
 
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MONACO ON THE MAP AGAIN 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U)  Garner opined that USG support for the Monaco Marine 
Environment Lab (MEL) has weakened recently with the departure of 
the lone American employee.  Garner floated the option of the U.S. 
providing a CFE with scientific modeling experience as a potential 
way to "get back in".  Msnoffs agreed with Garner that MEL research 
 
and its new focus on climate change and ocean acidification are not 
well known beyond the scientific community.  Garner admitted more 
work is needed to explain and publicize the laboratory's role. 
Msnoff noted recent U.S. Coast Guard visit at MEL and work with the 
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as 
potential success stories.  Garner said there are plans to offer an 
IAEA presentation on the Agency's work in climate change at this 
year's Copenhagen Conference.  NA has also prepared a position 
paper/brochure that will be available at the conference. 
 
PYATT