Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) ordered the formation of an inter-ministerial task force yesterday to promote Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at a weekly Cabinet meeting, Chang said the task force should pool resources in both public and private sectors to realize the nation's goal of becoming a WHO full member or at least an observer within the organization.
Chang said the head of the Cabinet-level Department of Health (DOH) should serve as convener of the task force and the minister of foreign affairs as co-convener.
The task force will be composed of officials from the health department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Mainland Affairs Council, the Government Information Office and the Council for Cultural Affairs, as well as certain private medical groups, overseas Chinese associations and ambassadors-at-large.
Chang said relevant government agencies should offer manpower and financial support for various WHO bid-related promotional programs.
He also directed the new task force to dish out working guidelines, detailed promotional programs and policy goals for different phases.
"The task force should supervise various promotional projects and keep close contacts with relevant private organizations," Chang added.
The premier further reminded the Mainland Affairs Council to include the WHO bid-related issues on the agenda for dialogue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Tuesday, directing Secretary of State Colin Powell to initiate a US plan to help Taiwan gain observer status at the WHO's annual summit to be held in Geneva next month.
The resolution, approved with a voice vote of 407-0, requires Powell to endorse and help obtain observer status for Taiwan at the upcoming WHO meeting.
The resolution, initiated by Representative Sherrod Brown, is pending approval of the Senate.
Once it passes the Senate floor, the resolution will be referred to President George W. Bush for signing into law.
Once the resolution becomes law, Powell will be required to submit a report to Congress within 14 days on how he will achieve the observer status for Taiwan.
Supporters of the resolution said the issue regarding Taiwan's WHO observer status went beyond international politics, arguing that Taiwan has made significant public health advancements and deserves a voice in global health planning and policy.
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