Of the past seven years of the nation's trying to secure a role at the World Health Organization (WHO), this year's efforts are unparalleled due to the country's confidence that it is in the right. However, just as in previous years, we were again dealt a setback by Geneva.
Our government officials were blocked outside the WHO, Chinese officials told lies, our diplomatic allies presented a draft resolution for us and countries mobilized by China blocked our efforts. At home, President Chen Shui-bian (
For Taiwan's efforts to get a space in the international community, holding a national referendum is a serious step. Before holding a referendum, we must assess the referendum's impact on domestic and international politics. And before we make our assessment, we must carefully examine again all the concepts regarding the WHO. We can devise proper policies and mobilization strategies only if we clarify these concepts.
The following topics are of utmost importance for Taiwan's entry into the WHO. The arguments of these topics are true, but only partly true.
First, health is a human-rights issue, not a political issue.
Taiwan's argument from beginning to end is that health is a basic human right. Therefore, the right to health is irrespective of politics and the UN should not infringe on the Taiwanese people's right to health due to political considerations.
The SARS epidemic is the best example. The argument goes that diseases know no national boundaries. If Taiwan does not join the WHO, not only the Taiwanese people will be denied care, but loopholes will emerge in worldwide epidemic prevention as well. In the era of global trade, this is an unnecessary risk. Although this argument may be right, officials from other countries will probably reject it.
Although the World Health Assembly (WHA) is a conference in which health personnel take part, other countries, when they consider Taiwan's entry, often have their decisions made by their ministries of foreign affairs. After all, international governmental organizations, regardless of who is in control, are political organizations by nature. China, however, insists the UN can only accept members that are countries and that Taiwan is part of China.
Even if we only request to be an observer at the WHA, the representatives of other countries are still unable to accept Taiwan's request. Even if a referendum expresses Taiwan's firm position, I believe the possibility of the WHA, as a conference of health professionals, to give up its original agenda and proceed with a major debate on membership requirements is remote.
Political problems must be solved by political means. The obstacle here is not the Taiwanese people's will but Taiwan's identity. Since the problem is in the UN, the battleground should perhaps be New York, not Geneva.
Second, the WHO cares for the health of all the people in the world except the Taiwanese people.
According to the WHO charter, the mission is to look after the health of all the world's people. Of all the countries in the world, only Taiwan is not a WHO member. Therefore, the fact the WHO takes care of the health of 6 billion people around the globe and excludes the 23 million people of Taiwan is a serious mistake. This argument is not without flaws, because the UN is a "government assembly" with "countries" as primary units. Regardless of how a country once recognized by the UN treats its own people, it is very difficult for the WHO to interfere with the country's "problems in domestic affairs." Take the SARS outbreak in Guangdong for example. How could the WHO take care of people in Guangdong if China rejects the entry of WHO experts to investigate the epidemic?
Therefore, although the WHO perhaps covers all countries, the population which it can look after is quite limited. Taiwan is no exception. The UN is unable to deal with domestic affairs. This is also a blind spot for international governmental organizations.
Third, the fact that we are unable to gain entry into the WHO is absolutely due to pressure from China.
Everyone understands that China's opposition is the most important factor contributing to Taiwan's powerlessness to join the WHO, but we need a more detailed analysis. WHO members watch China telling barefaced lies, but no one demonstrates a sense of justice by speaking out.
What factors do these countries' representatives consider? Perhaps some countries worry that tense relations with China will affect bilateral trade. Some countries receive financial assistance from China. Some countries do not even know the whole story of the dispute between China and Taiwan. Like China, some countries are currently suppressing separatist movements led by minority ethnic groups. Some countries absolutely abide by the UN charter that "country" is the only criterion for membership.
Can Taiwan clearly determine the positions of other countries? Should we adopt different approaches to persuade these countries with different attitudes?
When foreigners look at the debate on Taiwan's entry into the WHO, they see it as a political debate on how international organizations recognize a country's status. We have used various ways -- stating that health knows no national boundaries and seeking observer status -- to soften the opposition of other countries adhering to the "one China" principle, but our experience in recent years has shown that the international community does not acknowledge our efforts.
A referendum is, of course, a way to express the Taiwanese people's will to the international community. However, a referendum's risks and costs are high because it will touch on the unification/independence issue and ethnicity.
If so, why don't we take this opportunity to look squarely at the question of becoming a UN member? Why don't we show how Taiwan's ideals and styles are different from those of China? How can Taiwan and China complement each other economically but prevail in their own cultural realms? How does Taiwan express its ideas to the international community? If we want to participate in world health affairs, we must also consider at the same time what the other channels are besides the WHO and what the goals are of our participation.
These questions must be calmly examined by cultural and health workers, as well as political leaders. Without adequate discussion, it will be impossible to develop a consensus. On the contrary, it will lead to another superficial debate with daggers drawn. In the end, the referendum will still be in vain.
Huang Song-lih is secretary general of the Taiwan International Medical Alliance.
Translated by Grace Shaw
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