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Ma looks to WHA model for Red Cross membership

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) promised yesterday to push for admission of the country’s Red Cross Society into the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) following Taiwan’s admission as an observer at the World Health Assembly (WHA).

Ma made the remarks while attending an activity held by the organization in Taichung yesterday to honor volunteers’ contributions to international rescue work.

He acknowledged the challenges the nation was facing in international rescue efforts, mainly as the result of its limited international space.

“Because of matters surrounding our diplomatic relations, we have trouble getting access to many countries when doing international rescue work,” Ma said in his speech.

The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China is not a formal member of the ICRC because the committee considers Taiwan to be a province of China. As a result, the local organization has often been unable to respond and deliver assistance to other countries.

“In light of the example set by the WHA, we are looking at possibilities in how to handle the Red Cross Society and other organizations,” he said, referring to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan’s (陳馮富珍) invitation to Taiwan to attend this year’s WHA under the name “Chinese Taipei.”

Ma attributed Taiwan’s admission to the WHA as an observer to his administration’s efforts to improve cross-strait relations through a “modus vivendi.”

Red Cross Society of the Republic of China president C.V. Chen (陳長文) called on the government to help the organization become an official member of the ICRC so that it can expand its participation in international relief work.

Ma said the government understood the constraints the organization was facing and promised to help it seek full membership within the ICRC through the “WHA model.”
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