Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 13, 2006 Assistant Secretary McMurray Visits Libya For Continuing U.S.-Libya Science and Technology DialogueAssistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science Claudia A. McMurray traveled to Libya November 11-13, where she met with senior officials to further U.S.-Libyan cooperation on a range of topics, including public health, energy, water, seismic research, environmental protection, and metrology. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy John Mizroch and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tim Petty accompanied Assistant Secretary McMurray. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chief Scientist Hratch Semerjian also participated, along with officials from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Health and Human Services. The United States looks forward to increasing exchanges of scientists, technical experts and students; training programs; sharing scientific information; and undertaking joint research projects. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Libyan General People's Committee for Health and Environment signed a letter of intent to cooperate that resulted in Libya receiving $1 million dollars to enhance its public health system related to Pandemic Flu Preparedness, improved laboratory services, surveillance and field epidemiology. Cooperation is also planned in the field of telemedicine and certification. NIST will work with the Libyan National Center for Standardization and Metrology to improve their quality systems, accreditation activities, and calibration capacity. The other experts agreed to cooperate on a strategy for mapping and developing renewable energy resources. The U.S. Geological Survey offered Libya a seismic station that would incorporate Libya into the international community through the Global Seismic Network. In addition, the United States has invited a group of Libyan scientists to the U.S. for an extensive exchange program for using water resources and technologies with a variety of U.S. government agencies.
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