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Chen repeats call to join WHO

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday repeated his urge for the WHO to grant the nation membership under the name "Taiwan," while pledging to continue efforts to join the organization, despite China's hostility and the US' rejection of Taiwan's new strategy.

"The global epidemic prevention system should be seamless and no countries should be excluded from the WHO," Chen told local press in Taiwan and foreign press in Geneva during a teleconference entitled "Give Taiwan a seat in the WHO."

"Taiwan is the best, most suitable and most beautiful name and we will stick to this correct path to apply for full membership under the name `Taiwan,'" he said.

After 10 failed attempts to obtain observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA), the country is adopting a new approach by applying for WHO membership under the name "Taiwan" at this year's WHA, which convenes starting on Monday.

In response to the US' recent announcement that Washington would not back Taiwan's plan to become a WHO member, Chen urged the US not to politicalize Taiwan's efforts to join the WHO, adding that Taiwan would not give up, despite the US' objection.

"It has nothing to do with changing the nation's name and does not violate the `four noes.' It's unnecessary to overemphasize the issue," he said.

Condemning China and the WHO for signing a memorandum of understanding in 2005, agreeing that Taiwan must use the name "Taiwan, China" when attending technical meetings held by the organization and that only Beijing can give permission for Taiwan attend the meetings, Chen asked: "Do Chinese leaders own the rights of 23 million Taiwanese people? Should we be cheated again and again?"

During the teleconference, Chen showed a resolution signed by all legislators across party lines supporting Taiwan's bid to join the WHO.

The resolution was approved by the Legislative Yuan yesterday to show its full support for the government's efforts to secure WHO membership under the name "Taiwan."

Taiwan is capable of contributing to international health measures through its health resources and skills, the resolution said.

Chen urged members of the international community to show their support for Taiwan's bid.

"Why is the international community isolating Taiwan and denying 23 million Taiwanese people their collective rights? Aren't Taiwanese people citizens of the world too?" he said.

Taiwan ultramarathon runner Kevin Lin (林義傑) and three SARS patients, who declined to give their full names, traveled to Geneva yesterday to support Taiwan's efforts.

Lin will join the "Walk for the WHO" event today in Geneva with other expatriates and civil groups voicing their support for Taiwan's application.

"This is a very meaningful campaign and I hope that our voice will be heard by the international community," Lin told the Taipei Times after the teleconference.

Citing the example of former East Germany, which gained WHO membership in 1968 although it was not a UN member, Chen said Taiwan's application to the WHO should be determined by all of the body's members, adding that Taiwan would continue its campaign until it is admitted.

"China's repression has forced Taiwanese people to face the threat of global diseases and that is neither fair nor humane ... Applying for full membership under the name `Taiwan' is the right path and we will continue pursuing the goal," he said.

East Germany was admitted to the WHO after the organization's chief asked for the issue to be included on the agenda of the WHA, the organization's highest decision-making body.

Additional reporting by Flora Wang
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