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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Diplomacy
US asked to help Lee
The government has requested that Washington grant former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) due diplomatic courtesy during his visit to the US next week, Taiwan's representative to the US David Lee (李大維) said on Wednesday. Lee said he sent a letter to the US State Department and had held talks with officials, during which he asked the US government to facilitate the former president's entry into the country and provide him with security. The US government is expected to reply to Taiwan's request soon, Lee said. The former president is planning to visit Anchorage, New York, Washington and Los Angeles. During his stay in Washington from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20, Lee will meet with members of Congress, academics and Taiwanese expatriates.

■ Health
Bird-flu testing urged
The government wants visitors from four Asian countries affected by bird flu to test their health for 10 days after arrival, the Center for Disease Control said yesterday. Beginning on Monday, visitors from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will be handed a booklet at Taiwan's airports asking them to take their own temperatures each morning and evening during the 10 days following their arrival, the center said in a news release. If they show flu symptoms such as fever, coughing or a sore throat, they should wear surgical masks and contact a local health facility. The center also advised Taiwanese traveling to affected areas to avoid contact with poultry. The H5N1 strain of bird flu has swept through poultry populations in many parts of Asia since 2003, jumping to humans and killing at least 62 people in the region. No cases have been reported in Taiwan yet.

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