# 726
It isn't just Indonesia, of course. China hasn't provided human samples of the H5N1 virus in over a year. Both countries are playing a very dangerous game, and in doing so, risk the lives of millions around the world.
Indonesia defiant on sharing bird flu samples
JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesia will not share bird flu samples with the World Health Organisation until a dispute with the UN body is resolved in "black and white," the nation's health minister said Wednesday.
Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari made the comments one day after reports that Indonesia was not honouring its promise to resume sharing samples with the WHO for tests aimed at fighting the deadly disease.
Indonesia agreed in March to an immediate resumption, after reaching a breakthrough agreement in international talks with the WHO to develop a new mechanism on sample-sharing.
But more than four weeks later, samples have not been sent.
Supari said although WHO guarantees had been given orally, Indonesia wanted them in writing, and would now await the outcome of the World Health Assembly, an annual meeting of WHO members in Geneva, later this month.
"Diplomatically, the guarantees have been made, but we want it in black over white, in writing," Supari told AFP.
"So far we have not seen concrete assurances, but we will still have to wait until after the WHA (World Health Assembly) later this month," she said.
"Then, we will see," she added.
