Taipei Times: In the wake of the SARS outbreak, critics have argued that the advent of the disease has highlighted a large hole in the world's defense against the epidemic, namely, Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO. To what extent do you agree with this observation?
Brian McDonald: The European Union (EU) is not a full member of the WHO ... so we don't have a formal position on this issue. The question of whether or not Taiwan should be an observer or participate through an NGO [non-governmental organization] in the WHO is a matter for the member states, because it's an institutional issue and in the context of the UN. So that's really a matter for them to decide.
But I think there has been quite a lot of discussions in Brussels. Given the SARS issue, I think people have become much more aware of the need to include Taiwan in some shape or form if only to ensure a proper flow of the information about the disease. Hopefully that can be addressed when the issue comes up for discussion at the next assembly of the WHO.
I am not sure if there will be a solution to the problem from Taiwan's perspective, but at least there will be, I am sure, some interchange concerning the need to deal with the disease effectively and Taiwan's role in that regard.
TT: EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said in January that although WHO membership is only open to states, the EU is happy with others to see "whether Taiwan could be more involved in the WHO's work in a different ways." During his recent talk with Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, Patten seemed to have a different perspective on Taiwan's WHO bid. Would you like to summarize his point?
McDonald: I think he would have said more or less what I have just said. The situation with SARS is potentially so serious that we can't leave any stone unturned in trying to cope with it. And that includes the proper circulation of information and the participation of Taiwan in some shape or form in the activities of the WHO.
At the moment, I think you get the information through the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] [CDC] in Atlanta. But I think that's a bit indirect. The problem has become so urgent that it's not just a question of Taiwan getting the information from the WHO, but also the question of WHO members getting the information from Taiwan.
TT: In view of the urgent situation in Taipei following the outbreak of the infection in Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital, do you see a danger for the WHO member states because of the lack of updated information on Taiwan's reported cases?
McDonald: I think it's a potential risk. But I am sure Taiwan is giving this information anyway, whether it's through the CDC in Atlanta or other channels. I don't mean to suggest any criticism of Taiwan's efforts. But I think indirect contacts are never as good as direct contacts. I think this issue has become so serious that more direct contacts through the WHO can only help.
TT: Earlier you noted that there has been some growing sympathy or awareness of the Taiwan issue. Would you like to elaborate on that?
McDonald: There's been a lot of discussion in the EU, and there's a much more positive attitude toward some form of Taiwanese participation than perhaps there was last year. But of course we can't bring about a decision in the WHO assembly on our own. It depends on all of our partners in the WHO.
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