[Memo to President Reagan from John M. Poindexter]

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON 7388
November 7, 1986
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: JOHN M. POINDEXTEFQ QANA
SUBJECT: Reply to Letter from French (P Chirac on AIDS
Anti-Body Testing Kit and Dreg Cooperation
Issue
How to respond to a letter from Prime Minister Chirac of France.
Facts
Prime Minister Chirac wrote you on October 10 regarding the
stalemate in French-American negotiations over patent rights to
an AIDS antibody test kit between our Department of Health and
Human Services and the French Institut Pasteur. He asks that we
and the French redouble our efforts to ensure that the dispute is
solved amicably in order to enable the fight against AIDS to move
forward. Chirac also calls for increased cooperation between
French and American scientists in the fight against drug abuse.
Discussion
We are surprised that the PM has chosen to write you over this
issue. Apparently the financial and prestige implications over
the intellectual rights to this patent are of great importance to
France. Your response expresses appreciation for the PM's effort
to bolster Franco-American cooperation in fighting AIDS and in
the battle against drug trafficking. You note that the ongoing
negotiations between HHS and the Institut Pasteur have shown
progress and express the hope that a mutually satisfactory
conclusion can be reached soon.
Recommendation
OK No
_That you read the incoming letter and sign your _
response to Prime Minister Chirac.

Attachments:. CO
Tab A Letter to Prime Minister Chirac
Tab B Incoming Letter/Translation from Chirac
-a)
- Ncc: Vice President -r