Taiwan gains WHA observer status

Taiwan's forthcoming presence at the annual meeting of the decision-making arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) will mark the first time that the country has been allowed to participate in a meeting or activity of United Nations specialized agencies since losing its U.N. membership to China in 1971.

This is also an eventual success for Taiwan to take part in the WHA after 12 failed attempts at WHA participation pushed by two former presidents since 1997.

Ma attributed the achievement to the tireless endeavors and important contributions made by various groups in Taiwan regardless of political affiliation made to the cause.

Ma praised the goodwill displayed by Beijing toward Taiwan after the inauguration last May of his administration, which has been working to improve cross-Taiwan Strait ties and has adopted a moderate approach to promote foreign relations.

Ma also thanked the strong support of prominent members of the international community, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, Southeast Asian nations, Australia and New Zealand, as helping with the campaign.

"Participation in the activities of the WHO is not merely a political issue. More importantly, it is a human rights issue, and the health and medical rights of Taiwan's 23 million people should not get overlooked," the president said during a high-level meeting attended by top administration officials and top leaders of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT).

Ma is scheduled to personally hold a press conference today on the issue and the government's future policies.

According to Department of Health (DOH) chief Yeh Ching-chuan, Taiwan received a letter from the WHO Tuesday night inviting him and a delegation to attend as an observer in the WHA's annual meeting scheduled for May 18-27 in Geneva.

'Chinese Taipei'

The letter, addressed to Yeh and signed by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, extends the invitation to him as chief of "the Department of Health, Chinese Taipei."

"I would appreciate if you could confirm the attendance of the Department of Health, Chinese Taipei, and the names of the attendees at your earliest convenience," the letter read.

Analysts said the use of the name "Chinese Taipei" by the WHO could signify a policy change by the world body, which had previously stuck to the name "Taiwan, China" or "Taiwan, province of China" in its official documents to reflect the United Nations' "one China" policy.

Yeh explained that obtaining observer status in the WHA will enable Taiwan to maintain direct contact with the WHO to exchange information on disease control and prevention, better protecting the health and safety of the people in Taiwan.

Yeh said the DOH will assemble a 15-member delegation comprised of 12 health officials and three public health experts to attend the event, and that the team is expected to arrive in Geneva on May 17.

Journalists from Taiwan are also expected to be allowed to cover this year's WHA for the first time in five years, he said.

Journalists used to cover the annual event in the past, but authorization was withdrawn in 2004 under pressure from China on grounds that Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations.

Observers here said the observer status is one more step forward in the much improved relationship between Taipei and Beijing after Ma took presidency.

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