TAIWAN APPRECIATES U.S. SUPPORT FOR ITS WHO BID
ROC Central News Agency
2005-04-20 23:32:54
Taipei, April 20 (CNA) Taiwan's health officials and medical workers took heart Wednesday upon hearing of a United States official's public support for the country's bid to join the World Health Assembly (WHA).
Chang Wu-hsiou, the director for the International Cooperation Bureau under the Department of Health said he appreciates U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Randall Schriver's Tuesday statement in Washington that his department has approached Beijing and is working with friendly countries to help Taiwan participate in the WHA.
Noting that this is the second time in one week that Schriver has voiced U.S. support for Taiwan on the issue, Chang said he is optimistic about the prospect of Taiwan's eventually participation in the WHO.
In addition to counting on friendly states' support, Chang said, the Department of Health is trying to enhance the country's international presence by generously providing medical aid to countries in need, such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Maldives after these countries were ravaged by tsunamis on Dec. 26 last year.
The more actively Taiwan joins international rescue operations, the easier it will be for Taiwan to win support for its WHA bid, Chang said.
Dr. Deng Jou-fang, the president of the Taiwan International Medical Alliance, which has campaigned for Taiwan's involvement in international bodies for years, said Washington's support will boost Taiwan's WHA attempts on the international stage and will facilitate Taiwan's efforts to woo the support of European Union member states.
(By Maubo Chang)
ENDITEM/mw
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