Natsios Heads to Russia for Avian Flu Talks, USAID Program Review
USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios visited Russia October 5-9, 2005 to discuss collaboration in combating Avian Influenza (AI) and to review USAID’s overall program. In meetings with EMERCOM and the Ministry of Health, Mr. Natsios described US concerns about AI and discussed areas for US-Russian threat reduction cooperation, including the possibility of working jointly on an H5N1 vaccine, providing background materials for the next Commonwealth of Independent States’ inter-ministerials, and exchanging AI experts.
Mr. Natsios also used the meetings to reiterate the US’ commitment – articulated by President Bush in his February 2005 meeting with President Putin at Bratislava – to work together on HIV/AIDS and in international emergency response situations. His audience with Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexis II opened the possibility for USAID’s sharing resources and information with the Church on HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, and other social problems.
Reviewing USAID programs, US strategic interests in non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, democracy, and transnational issues like infectious disease and the environment, Mr. Natsios met with representatives from the Central Bank, civil society nongovernmental organization leaders, nonproliferation experts, judges, and a variety of staff and partners. In an interview with Kommersant newspaper, Mr. Natsios outlined USAID’s program in Russia and stressed the USAID’s interest in working in partnership with Russians to address key domestic and global issues like Avian Influenza and HIV/AIDS.
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| USAID Administrator Natsios observes a performance at the Drop-in Center for Street Children in St. Petersburg |
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