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Premier Su urges Taiwan delegation visiting Geneva to do their best in working out WHO deal

May 10, 2006

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Monday said that each year the Foundation of Medical Professional Alliance in Taiwan (FMPAT) and other private sector organizations organize delegations to visit Geneva to try and obtain membership for Taiwan in the World Health Organization and participation in the World Health Assembly. Premier Su lauded the determination by the groups and their unwillingness to give up, adding that Taiwan's populace fully supports the efforts of these individuals. The premier said he hopes this year's mission to Geneva will go smoothly and that the delegation will work to the best of its ability, adding he is eagerly waiting for good news.

Premier Su made the remarks on Monday when meeting with the delegation at the Executive Yuan. The group is preparing to leave for Switzerland and engage in work to promote and publicize Taiwan's efforts to be allowed participation in the organizations.

Premier Su said that mainland China played a major role in the global outbreak of SARS several years ago, and Taiwan suffered as a result. He said, however, that Taiwan has the ability to take care of its own citizens and it learned many things from handling the outbreak here. Nonetheless, it is regrettable that Taiwan is unable to share its experiences in a timely manner with the rest of the world and have interaction with international health organizations. This prevents Taiwan from making a contribution to the global community, he said.

Premier Su furthermore said that this year's World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva on May 22. The Taiwan government began seeking entry into the organization in 1996, and this year marks the 10th year of its efforts. He said the private sector, led by the FMPAT, is doing its utmost to help Taiwan obtain membership in the organization. FMPAT each year organizes a delegation to visit Geneva. However, political realities have continued to stymie Taiwan's efforts to gain entry. To this point, Taiwan has not been successful in becoming a member. This year, the FMPAT is again forming a delegation to seek entry for Taiwan. Premier Su said that he shares the same hopes with the rest of the people of Taiwan in hoping that Taiwan can gain a voice in the WHA and that a means is found to help Taiwan participate in the WHO.

The premier said that in past years, the international community has increasingly encouraged Taiwan in its efforts, and more and more countries and agencies are calling for Taiwan to be allowed to participate in the organizations. In addition to support by countries which maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, others are voicing their support for Taiwan's entry, including the United States and Japan, which both have cast votes in favor of allowing Taiwan to participate in many technical conferences. Nonetheless, Taiwan still hopes to gain observer status in the WHO and even become a member. Premier Su said that formal entry into the organization will enable Taiwan to participate in and make a contribution to health work and efforts throughout the globe.

As the delegation gets ready to embark on its journey to Geneva in the coming days, Premier Su said he represents the government and all people of Taiwan in both encouraging on and having great hopes for the delegation. He said he hopes the delegation's journey will be a smooth one and that good news will be forthcoming in several weeks.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Hou Sheng-mou, Minister of the Department of Health, Kau Ying-mao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and William J. Yih, Vice Minister of the Government Information Office. This year's delegation heading to Geneva includes, FMPAT Chairman Wu Shuh-min, ambassador without portfolio, Wu Yun-tung, Legislator Chen Chung-hsin, FMPAT Executive Chairman Lin Shih-chia, Taiwan Medical Association Chairman Wu Nan-ho, Chairman of the Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China Lee Sheng-Yang, Chairman of the Taiwan Society of Health-System Pharmacists Wen-Hsiung Liu, and Chairman of the National Union of Nurses Associations, ROC, Yin, Jeo-cen.

Original Source: Government Information Office, EY(2006/05/10 10:06:11)

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