The US House Committee on International Relations passed a resolution Wednesday that calls for the US to endorse Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO) at the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva next year.
House Resolution 2738, introduced by Republican Representative Sherrod Brown on Aug. 2, amends Public Law 107-10, which requires the George W. Bush administration to help Taiwan gain participation in the WHO as an observer, by inserting "May 2002" in the place of "May 2001."
The bill points out that Bush, in his May 11 letter to Republican Senator Frank Murkowski, said that the US "should find opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in international organizations in order to make a contribution, even if membership is not possible."
During this year's World Health Assembly in Geneva, the resolution notes, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson announced on May 16 that the Bush administration supports Taiwan's participation in the WHO.
The Washington-based Formosan Association for Public Affairs said it hopes that the US delegation will publicly express its support -- and encourage its allies to do the same -- for Taiwan gaining WHO observer status at next year's World Health Assembly.
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