For Immediate Release
Washington DC – February 1, 2006
Contact: (202) 547-3686
Reps. Hyde And Lantos Urge WHO Chief To Advance Taiwan’s Participation In Battle Against Avian Flu
In a letter dated January 30 to Dr. Lee Jong-wook, Director General of the WHO, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee Henry Hyde and Ranking Member of the Committee Tom Lantos urge the Director to include Taiwan in the battle against Avian flu and to bring Taiwan into the WHO.
The two sernior congressional members conclude: “We in the Congress have passed numerous resolutions supporting Taiwan’s WHO participation, and the U.S. Government is on the record in support of Taiwan’s WHO observer status. We sincerely hope that you will show the leadership necessary to advance this matter, and we will certainly pay close attention to WHO action in this regard.”
This is the second time in recent months that Chairman Hyde writes to promote Taiwan in the international health network. Last December, he co-signed a letter with 52 House colleagues to Secretary Rice calling for Taiwan’s inclusion in the avian flu network.
FAPA President C.T. Lee, MD states: “The same drill to bring Taiwan into the WHO takes place every year at the WHO summit in Geneva and during its preliminary planning meetings. Unfortunately, Taiwan faces the same defeat year after year.”
“Although China continues to relentlessly crush Taiwan’s bids for greater international participation, Taiwan cannot afford to give up. Just like the arduous struggle by the people of Taiwan towards democracy and freedom, history has proven again and again that those with patience, determination and persistence will prevail.”
海德主席與藍托斯議員籲請世衛執行長協助台灣參與禽流感防禦體制
眾議院國際關係委員會主席海德(Henry Hyde, R-IL)與資深民主黨議員藍托斯(Tom Lantos, D-CA) 於1月30日致函世界衛生組織執行長李鐘郁(Lee Jong-wook)，希望他能夠協助將台灣融入世衛體系以及禽流感防禦系統。
兩位領袖級議員們在信中提醒李鐘郁美國國會近年來連續通過數項支持台灣參與世衛的法案，以及美國行政部門公開支持台灣世衛觀察員身份，強調美國各界對台灣權益的重視；議員們接著在信中呼籲李鐘郁運用他的領導能力，使此項議題能夠有所進展，並向世衛保證美國將會密切觀察世衛在這項議題的後續相關行動。
這是海德議員在近兩個月來第二次公開致函，支持台灣參與世界醫療體系。海德議員在去年12月中與其他52位議員聯署致函萊斯國務卿，呼籲將台灣納入禽流感防禦系統。
FAPA會長李青泰表示：「台灣爭取加入世衛的腳本每年於日內瓦一再上演，到目前為止，台灣每年都鍛羽而歸。面對中國在各種國際場合上冷酷無情地打壓，台灣沒有怠隋與厭倦的權利。過去台灣人民堅持荊棘的民主之路，不從退縮，如今在爭取國際空間上也應本著一樣的精神，只有繼續秉持恆心、決心與毅力，台灣終究會有成功獲得國際認可的一天。」
