Ministry urges e-mail push

In an effort to push for Taiwan's bid to get observer status at the WHO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health and the Government Information Office (GIO) have called on supporters from across the world to send on-line messages to the head of the WHO and the leaders of member states. In order to secure Taiwan's chance to attend the WHO Assembly meeting scheduled in the middle of May as an observer, the Taiwanese government yesterday urged the public to show their support for Taiwan's participation by sending e-mails to WHO director-general Gro Harlem Brundtland and the leaders of all WHO member nations. Supporters can also send an on-line petition or e-mail message to a friend through the official Web site of the GIO (http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/join_who). The GIO petitions have all the text already prepared. The on-line petition states: "We, the undersigned, believe the people of Taiwan should not be excluded from the benefits that the WHO brings to the citizens of the world -- and that they should be allowed to join in international cooperation toward good health for all."