WHO shoots down assembly entry bid

Although Taiwan's ally Palau was the vice chairman of the general committee, it's position disallowed it to voice support for Taiwan's observer status bid.

Alexis Pinzon, Panama's vice health minister, said the country backed Taiwan's bid for humanitarian sake.

"It's very important all countries become members of the WHA, regardless of what their political positions are," said Pinzon.

Ruling and opposition parties yesterday condemned China's move to block Taiwan from the WHA.

The head of the DPP's International Affairs Department Hsiao Bi-Khim (蕭美琴) said China's move had greatly hurt Taiwan's people and that it was a despicable and heartless act.

"It will be detrimental to the future development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Hsiao said.

"China has been saying that Taiwan's efforts to join international organizations will hurt the feelings of the Chinese.

"But have they considered that their attempts to bar us from international organizations will also hurt the feelings of Taiwan's people," she said.

Although Taiwan's bid to join the WHA forum as an observer has failed once again, Hsiao said, Taiwan will not give up its attempts to join a SARS meeting to be held by the WHO in June in Malaysia.

The opposition KMT expressed regret over the development.

"Out of humanitarian concerns, Taiwan should be allowed to join the WHA forum as an observer.

"But it is a regrettable that China has once again boycotted our efforts in this direction," Lin said.

"Under strong pressure from China, the chances for Taiwan to join the WHA forum are indeed small," he said.

"We have been making the bid for several years."

TSU Secretary-general Lin Chih-chia (林志嘉) issued a strongly-worded condemnation of China.

Lin called on the public to understand the nature of Beijing and understand that China and Taiwan were not likely to become one country.

"Taiwan should work harder to develop its independent character and continue its efforts to join both the WHA and the WHO," Lin said.

"Taiwanese people should not harbor any illusions about China."

Meanwhile, political analysts predicted that the WHA issue would greatly harm cross-strait relations.

Political scholar Liu Bi-rong (劉必榮) said cross-strait relations might not improve before next year's presidential elections.

"China's denial of Taiwan's efforts for an international presence will only increase international support for the country. It is obvious that China sensed the development and is trying to keep it down," Liu said.

"The new Chinese leaders will by no means give any ground to Taiwan for the moment, especially as they are faced with the tough task of fighting SARS," Liu said.

"The two sides of the strait have developed a mistrust of each other because of the WHA issue and the SARS infections.

"The two will feel hurt at the same time. Distance between the two will surely become greater," Liu said.