# 1908
The much publicized bird flu drills to be held in Indonesia this week will be attended, according to event organizers, by representatives from 42 foreign nations. The nations that will attend were not listed in the news release.
After three years of unsuccessful (and some might say, half-hearted) attempts to corral bird flu, the Indonesian government is promising a new initiative on avian flu, starting with the exercise.
Whether this marks a substantive change in addressing the bird flu problem, only time will tell.
This from Xinhua News.
Foreign observers to witness bird flu-handling exercise in Indonesia
www.chinaview.cn
2008-04-23 23:39:03
JAKARTA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 42 representatives of international agencies and foreign governments are to witness a bird flu handling exercise in Bali on April 25-27, sources close to the event's organizers said on Wednesday.
"They will be able to see from close quarters the seriousness with which the Indonesian government, including the Bali provincial administration, is handling bird flu," Antara news agency Wednesday quoted the sources as saying in Denpasar, capital of Bali province.
The simulation would involve related agencies and ordinary people and be staged in three districts and one municipality in Bali. It would also take place at Tabanan district's general hospital, Ngurah Rai airport and Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar.
Observers would also come from professional organizations, various central government agencies, referral hospitals and public health offices in all other Indonesian provinces,
Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari is slated to open the demonstration in Jembrana District on April 25.
