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Ministry thanks committee for support

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday thanked the International Relations Committee in the US House of Representatives for approving a bill supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).

"We thank the committee. The bill would help our bid, but it is yet to be passed by the House," said Tung Kuo-yu (董國猷), director general of the ministry's Department of International Organizations.

The bill urged the US State Department to seek a way for Taiwan to gain observer status in this May's World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. Tung declined to reveal whether Taiwan would apply for observer or member status.

"We have been actively planning our bid to join the WHA this year. At present, however, it is inconvenient to disclose the details of our plan," Tung said at a press conference.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Kau (高英茂), who led Taiwan's delegation to Geneva for last year's WHA, is currently in Washington to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Tung said he was not sure whether Kau would meet with US officials to discuss the bid to participate in the WHA.

Also, APEC's health task force would hold its first meeting in Taipei on April 26 and 27, Tung said.

"Department of Health Director General Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) proposed to form the task force during last year's SARS crisis," Tung said, adding that the task force had been established after several meetings of senior APEC officials.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and the Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan, a lobby group for WHO entry, have stepped up efforts to solicit the international community's support for Taiwan's entrance to the health body.

"American support is vital because it would influence the attitude of other countries toward Taiwan's efforts to join the WHO," said Lin Shih-chia (林世嘉), the executive director of the foundation, in response to news of the bill going before the House of Representatives.

Foundation president Wu Shuh-min (吳樹民) and Lin will set off on a five-day lobbying mission to South Korea and Japan from April 4 to solicit support for the bid.

In Seoul, the foundation is scheduled to meet with local media outlets, medical organizations and officials, including legislators.

It will also hold an press conference in Tokyo to explain Taiwan's need to enter the WHO.

"Since the foundation began lobbying for Taiwan's entrance to the WHO, it has hoped Taiwan could join the world body as a sovereign country," said Lin.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator William Lai (賴清德), who went to Europe with a group of lawmakers from both camps to seek support for Taiwan's WHO efforts last week, will move on to Japan to join the foundation next week.
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