Bob Menendez: “I am in strong support of Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO). It is once again time for Congress to…”

“I am in strong support of Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO). It is once again time for Congress to stand up for a democratic Taiwan. Secretary Powell has noted before the International Relations Committee that there should be ways for Taiwan to enjoy full benefits of participation in international organizations without being a member. H.R. 4019 only calls for the Secretary of State to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status at the WHO for Taiwan. Time and time again in recent years, Congress has passed similar legislation to provide for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. Yet time and time again, Taiwan has been thwarted from joining this international organization because of objections from the People's Republic of China. This most recently occurred last May at the World Health Assembly in Geneva; even after Congress enacted legislation authorizing the U.S. Government to implement a plan for Taiwan to obtain observer status. In recent years. Taiwan has expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically in international aid and health activities supported by the WHO, but has been unable to render such assistance because Taiwan is not a member of the WHO. Last year's SARS outbreak in Asia should have made it perfectly clear how important it is to allow Taiwan to participate in the WHO. Taiwan offered to work with the WHO yet was denied; only later were two WHO experts dispatched to Taiwan.”