U.S. Senator Sends Letter To WHO Protesting “Province Of China” Memo

Expressing support for Taiwan’s full membership

On June 2^nd 2011, US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to World Health Organization (WHO) director general Margaret Chan expressing concern about the internal memo which recently became public in Taiwan, in which the organization instructed its institutions to refer to Taiwan as “province of China.”

In the letter, Senator Brown stated that by implying that Taiwan is a “province of China” the WHO “…is going beyond its mandate as the world global health authority and is in violation of US policy.”

Senator Brown added: “I am concerned that the WHO has unwittingly entered into dangerous political waters that are contrary to its mission and detrimental to its goals.  The WHO is not a political authority within the UN and should not act as such.”

The Ohio senator, who has long advocated Taiwan’s full membership in all international organizations, including the United Nations and the WHO, concluded: “As a strong supporter of your organization I have always believed that the WHO is a universal organization and that it should therefore open its doors to all members of the world community, including Taiwan.”

FAPA President Bob Yang commented in a reaction: “”Senator Brown is hitting the nail right on the head: the WHO internal memo is not in keeping with the basic principle of universality for which the WHO should stand.  It relegates Taiwan to a secondary status as a subsidiary of China, which is a violation of US policy as laid down in the Taiwan Relations Act.”

Dr. Yang added: “The memo has brought to light the fallacy of the approach by the Ma Ying-jeou administration in Taiwan to participation in international organizations.  In 2009, it presented its observership as a major “breakthrough”, but now we find out that it came at the cost of Taiwan’s sovereignty as a free and democratic nation.”

Dr. Yang concluded: “We hope that both the WHO and the US government will from now on adhere to the basic principle of universality and support Taiwan’s full membership in international organizations. Taiwan is a free and democratic nation and deserves to be treated like all other nations in the world.”

美參議員致函世衛組織 抗議「中國省份」密件

對台灣成為正式會員表支持

美國俄亥俄州民主黨參議員布朗（Sherrod Brown, OH-D），於2011年6月2日致函世界衛生組織幹事長陳馮富珍女士，就最近在台灣揭露的世衛內部密件，指示相關單位稱呼台灣為「中國的省分」乙事，表達抗議。

信中，參議員布朗表示，世衛組織將台灣暗指為「中國的省分」，「超過了其身為世界衛生機構的權限，並違反了美國的政策。」

他並指出：「我擔憂，世衛組織在不知情的狀況下，進入了危險的政治水域，違背其任務及對推展其目標不利。世衛組織非聯合國之下的政治機構，也不應涉及相關事務。」

來自俄亥俄州的參議員布朗，一直以來都支持台灣，在所有國際組織中獲得正式會員資格，包括聯合國及世衛組織。他在信末表示:「身為世衛組織的強力支持者，我總相信世衛組織是一個普世的組織，也因此，它應該要對這個世界村的所有成員表示歡迎，包括台灣。」

台灣公共人事務會會長楊英育對此表示：「參議員布朗的話一針見血:世衛組織的內部密件違背其應該代表的基本普世原則。它將台灣貶為次等的地位，成為中國的省分之一，而這違反了美國政策中的台灣關係法。」

他並補充：「這份備忘錄將台灣馬政府在台灣參與國際組織上使用的謬誤方法，顯露出來。2009年，馬政府將台灣獲觀察員的，為『重大進展』。但現在我們發現，這是以自由民主國家台灣的主權去換來的。」

楊會長最後指出：「我們希望，世衛組織及美國政府從今以後遵守基本普世原則，並支持台灣在國際組織的正式會員資格。台灣是一個自由民主的國家，值得擁有與其他國家平起平坐的待遇。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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US Congressmen Lament Treatment of Taiwan by China and the W.H.O.

Call for “Full Membership” Instead of “Meaningful Participation”

On the eve of the opening of the annual World Health Organization assembly in Geneva next week, US Congressmen Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) inserted an extension of remarks in the Congressional Record calling for full membership for Taiwan in international organizations instead of “meaningful participation.”

Rep. Garrett stated: “I believe that a sovereign state such as Taiwan, with a population of 23 million people, deserves full representation in United Nations and its affiliated organizations.  As such, Taiwan should be recognized as a full voting member of the WHO.”

He continued: “Taiwan is participating again this year as Chinese-Taipei’.  I would prefer to see Taiwan recognized under its name “Taiwan” rather than as a subsidiary of China.”

The Congressman concluded: “Rather than supporting “meaningful participation,” I believe the U.S. should promote Taiwan’s full membership in international organizations such as the WHO. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Taiwan’s full and equal membership in the United Nations, the WHO, and other international organizations.”

FAPA President Bob Yang, Ph.D. says in a reaction: “Earlier this week we found that in an internal memo on International Health Regulations, the WHO now refers to Taiwan as a “Province of China.” This is clearly a result of the Faustian bargain that Taiwan’s government made with China in 2009. It is unacceptable that the people of Taiwan become the victims today of irresponsible and naive deals the Ma Ying-jeou government made with China two years ago.”

Dr. Yang continues: “I am concerned that Taiwan attends international meetings only because Taiwan gets the nod from China will become a trend and an accepted norm. It will mark a slippery slope for Taiwan and for Taiwan’s supporters who want to see Taiwan receive greater international recognition.”

Dr. Yang concludes: “The Chinese leadership cannot be trusted. It is high time that Taiwan’s leadership recognizes this as well.”

眾議員遺憾台灣所受到中國及世界衛生組織的打壓

要求「正式會員」資格，而不是「有意義的參與」

世界衛生組織大會下週將在日內瓦展開。紐澤西州共和黨眾議員蓋瑞特（Scott Garrett, NJ-R）及紐約州民主黨眾議員唐斯（Edolphus Towns, NY-D）在開幕之夜，將在美國國會紀錄中發表延伸發言，要求台灣擁有「正式會員」資格，而不是「有意義的參與」。

蓋瑞特眾議員指出：「我相信有2,300萬人民的台灣，身為一個有主權的國家，應該得到在聯合國及其相關組織的完整代表資格。也因此，台灣應該在世衛組織獲得有完整投票權的會員資格。」

他並表示：「今年，台灣再一次以『中華台北』的名義參與。我會希望台灣是以『台灣』的名稱來參與，而不是附屬中國之下。」

他的結論為：「與其支持『有意義的參與』，我相信美國應該要支持台灣在國際組織，如世衛組織中的完整會員資格。因此，我呼籲我的同僚與我一齊支持台灣在聯合國、世衛組織及其他國際組織中，完整且平等的會員資格。」

台灣人公共事務會會長楊英育博士表示：「稍早這週，我們發現國際衛生條例的內部密件指出，世衛組織現在稱台灣為『中國的一省』。這明顯地是台灣政府2009年與中國用靈魂與魔鬼交易的結果。台灣人今天成為馬英九政府在兩年前與中國達成不負責任且天真的協議的受害者，令人無法接受。」

他補充：「我擔憂台灣因為中國的認可，而能夠參與國際會議，會變成一個潮流及可以接受的現象。這會成為台灣，及想要見到台灣獲得更多國際承認的台灣支持者的絆腳石。」

楊會長最後指出：「中國的領導人不能相信。是時候台灣的領導者認清這個事實了。」

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore (Flickr)

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Taiwanese-Americans Disturbed By WHO Memo

Ma administration’s “international space” is illusory

The disclosure in Taiwan of an internal World Health Organization memo instructing its agencies to refer to Taiwan as “province of China” has sent shock waves through the overseas Taiwanese community.

The memo, dated September 14^th 2010, states that procedures used by the WHO to facilitate relations with Taiwan were subject to Chinese approval.  The memo further states that Taiwan “as a province of China, cannot be party to the International Health Regulations (IHR).”

The information in the memo stands in stark contrast to the image presented by the Ma Ying-jeou administration, which emphasized that Taiwan’s observership – started in 2009 – amounted to “substantive participation” and had come about as a result of direct negotiations with the WHO, without Chinese involvement.

FAPA President Bob Yang states in response to the revelation: “”The episode shows that the Ma administration has been deceptive, and given the Taiwan public an unwarranted rosy picture of the situation.  The fact of the matter is that Taiwan’s participation is an empty shell, without any substance. This memo shows clearly the failure of the Ma administration’s policies to gain international space.”

Dr. Yang adds: “China continues to block real participation by Taiwan’s medical specialists in the WHO.  This is a severe infringement on the basic rights of the Taiwanese people and a threat to the important exchange of health information through the WHO. By agreeing to Chinese demands and conditions, the WHO has violated the principle of universality for which it should stand.”

Dr. Yang concludes: “China’s motives are clear. It wants to absorb Taiwan and leave it no international space whatsoever.  We do urge the United States government and other leaders in the international community to reject the imposition of such conditions and accept Taiwan as a full and equal member of the international community.”

台美人就世界衛生組織文件表達不滿

馬政府的「國際空間」不過是空談

海外的台灣人社區對世界衛生組織內部文件被揭發，內文指示其相關單位，以「中國省份」來稱呼台灣，感到震驚。

此份於2010年9月14日發出的密函，同時註記了世衛組織在與台灣聯繫的過程，都必須受到中國同意。密函也表示，台灣「身為中國的一省，無法參與國際衛生條例(IHR)。」

這份密函的內容，與馬英九政府一直以來試圖呈現出的景況，正好相反。馬政府強調，自2009年台灣取得觀察員地位以來，台灣「實質參與」了世衛活動，而這樣的結果是與世衛組織直接交涉的結果，而不是透過中國。

台灣人公共事務會會長楊英育就此事被揭露回應:「這樣的事件顯示出馬政府這些時日以來欺瞞台灣大眾，並誤導群眾相信前景一片看好。事實上，台灣的參與只是個空殼，虛有其表。這份文件凸顯馬政府拓展國際空間外交政策的失敗。」

他並補充:「中國持續地阻擋台灣醫學專家在世衛組織的實質參與。這嚴重侵犯了台灣人民的基本權益，並對透過世衛組織所獲得的重要衛生訊息交換造成威脅。世衛組織因屈服於中國的要求及條件，違背了它應該維護的普世價值。」

楊會長最後指出:「中國的動機是相當明顯的。它想要併吞台灣，不留下一絲一毫國際空間給台灣。我們呼籲美國政府及其他國際社會的領導者，拒絕這樣不合理的條件要求，並接受台灣成為國際社會中與他國平起平坐的一員。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Senators Criticize Secret China-WHO M.O.U. And Bush Administration’s Lack Of Initiatives In Bringing Taiwan Into The WHO

In a letter to President Bush dated August 1, 2008, four Senators led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) express disappointment about the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) decision last May to again exclude Taiwan from participating in the annual weeklong meeting in Geneva and urge President Bush to seek inclusion of the 23 million people in the World Health Organization (WHO).

For the past twenty years, Senator Sherrod Brown has been a leading voice in both Houses of Congress for the inclusion of the 23 million people of Taiwan in the World Health Organization.

The Senators write: “We regret that the Administration was not able to find ways to make Taiwan’s voice heard in the World Health Organization (WHO).  Taiwan’s participation is vital if we are to effectively combat global health threats.  We urge you to support and advocate for Taiwan’s membership in the WHO.”

They continue: “Very little progress has been made since Public Law No. 107-10 mandated the Secretary of State endorse “meaningful participation” for Taiwan in the WHA.  We are concerned that the recent report by the State Department to Congress regarding Taiwan’s participation in the WHO did not mention any administration initiatives in this regard.”

In a thinly disguised jab at the secret Memorandum of Understanding that China concluded with the WHO in 2005 allowing China to determine which information from the WHO reaches Taiwan, if any, the Senators add: “In addition to supporting Taiwan’s full membership, the United States must oppose any effort by China to interfere with the exchange of information between the WHO and Taiwan.  The effectiveness of the WHO relies on the direct flow of information among health experts.  Any efforts to curtail the free exchange of information unnecessarily threatens global health and the safety of every nation.”

They conclude: “As global health threats emerge, the public health of our nation increasingly depends on cooperation and communication between every nation.  It is in America’s best interest to ensure that Taiwan is a full member of the WHO.”

FAPA President Bob Yang, PhD states: “We agree with the Senators that the secret PRC-WHO M.O.U. needs to go. This arrangement is not only inconceivable, it is likely unlawful for a multilateral international organization to make bilateral arrangements with one of its members. The bottomline is that the United States and the rest of the world should express its outrage – not only about this M.O.U. arrangement but about China’ continued playing of politics with the lives of the people of Taiwan.”

美參議員抨擊世衛與中國秘密備忘錄，不滿布希政府欠缺協助台灣參與世衛實質行動

參議員布朗與位同僚於8月1日 聯署致函布希總統，對於今年五月世衛大會再次拒絕台灣參與深表失望。他們並希望布希總統能夠協助台灣兩千三百萬人民被容納在世衛組織內。

參議員布朗自十多年前還是眾議院成員時，就帶頭發起美國國會支持台灣參與世衛，是台灣爭取世衛參與最忠實的國際友人，每年在美國國會以引進議案，發表聲明或是致函等方式，十多年來毫不間斷，為台灣爭取世衛權益不餘遺力。

議員們在信裡表示：「我們很遺憾行政部門無法找到適當管道，讓世衛聽到台灣的聲音。如果我們要有效率地抵抗對全球衛生系統的威脅，台灣的參與是非常重要的。我們籲請您支持台灣世衛會員籍。」

自從您簽署第107-10號法律，明文規定國務卿支持台灣有意義的參與世衛年度大會，此議題並沒有太大的進展。我們尤其擔心最近國務院呈報給國會的報告裡，並沒有提到任何行政部門在這方面的努力。

由於中國在2005年與世衛秘書處秘密簽署一份備忘錄，允許中國自行單方決定哪些世衛資訊可以傳達台灣，議員們在信裡表達嚴重的關切。「除了支持台灣的完整會員籍外，美國必須反對任何中國意欲干涉世衛與台灣之間的資訊交流。世衛的效率建立在衛生專家們之間意見與資訊的自由交流。任何阻撓資訊自由交流的意圖，將威脅到全球衛生體系與各國的健康安全。」

議員們在信函結尾表示：「當全球健康體系受到威脅時，美國本身的公衛更須逐漸依賴世界各國之間的合作與溝通無阻。也因此，台灣成為世衛完整會員國一員是符合美國的利益之內。」

FAPA會長楊英育表示：「我們和這幾位參議員的看法一致，世衛與中國的秘密備忘錄必須立即中止。這份備忘錄不僅令人難以想像，一個國際組織私下與某一會員國簽署文件可說是違法的，並違背其他組織會員國的權益。最終底線是，美國與國際社會應該針對備忘錄，以及中國持續耍手段，將政治置台灣人民性命之上表達最嚴重的抗議。」

Letter Full Text

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We were again disappointed by the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) recent decision to continue its ban on Taiwan’s participation.  We regret that the Administration was not able to find ways to make Taiwan’s voice heard in the World Health Organization (WHO).  Taiwan’s participation is vital if we are to effectively combat global health threats.  We urge you to support and advocate for Taiwan’s membership in the WHO.

Very little progress has been made since Public Law No. 107-10 mandated the Secretary of State endorse “meaningful participation” for Taiwan in the WHA.  We are concerned that the recent report by the State Department to Congress regarding Taiwan’s participation in the WHO did not mention any administration initiatives in this regard.

Public health threats like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Extensively Resistant Tuberculosis, and the H5N1 virus are not constrained by national boundaries. Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO creates a dangerous gap in the exchange of information among countries and puts global health security at risk.  Taiwan’s expertise and leadership in combating these global threats must be fully utilized in the global effort to fight these diseases.

We agree with recent statements of former Senator Bob Dole, highlighting that “The ca se for admitting Taiwan into the WHO could not be clearer,” as well as his assertion that that there must be a major diplomatic push to support Taiwan’s candidacy.

In addition to supporting Taiwan’s participation, the United States must oppose any effort by China to interfere with the exchange of information between the WHO and Taiwan.  The effectiveness of the WHO relies on the direct flow of information among health experts.  Any efforts to curtail the free exchange of information unnecessarily threatens global health and the safety of every nation.

As global health threats emerge, the public health of our nation increasingly depends on cooperation and communication between every nation.  It is in America’s best interest to ensure that Taiwan is a member of the WHO.

We look forward to hearing from you on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown, Johnny Isakson, David Vitter, Jon Tester, and Joseph Lieberman

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Senators Call For Taiwan’s Full WHO Membership

In a letter dated July 11, eight senators, led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called upon the Administration to support Taiwan’s full membership in the World Health Organization.

Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Trent Lott (R-MS – co-chair Senate Taiwan Caucus), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Tim Johnson (D-SD – co-chair Senate Taiwan Caucus), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jon Tester (D-MT) conclude: “It is in America’s best interest to ensure that Taiwan is a full member of the WHO.”

Senator Brown was one of the founders and co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus when he was a House member and has been promoting Taiwan’s WHO campaign in the U.S. for the past decade.

Additionally, the Senators urge the Administration “to make a concerted effort in building a coalition of like-minded nations – in particular the member states of the European Union – in support of Taiwan’s membership.”

Regarding the memorandum of understanding the Chinese have concluded with the WHO, the Senators write: “The Administration must be very clear that it will not accept any memorandum of understanding (MOU) between China and the WHO regarding the exclusion of Taiwanese medical experts.  It is essential that there will be no overt or covert MOU between the WHO and China regarding the implementation of the International Health Regulations, which will enter into force on June 15th 2007.”

FAPA President CT Lee, M.D. says: “Taiwan is currently the only missing link in the chain of WHO members in the Pacific that are currently under direct threat of SARS, birdflu, TB and/or other viral strains of disease. Therefore, Taiwan can and must no longer be left out of the WHO. Taiwan’s full membership in the WHO is not only in the interest of Taiwan’s 23 million people, it is in the interest of the rest of the world. It is common sense!”

美聯邦參議員支持台灣爭取世衛會員籍

在參議員布朗(Sherrod Brown, D-OH)的領銜下，八位美國聯邦參議員於7月11日聯署致函行政部門，呼籲美國政府支持台灣成為世衛會員國。

這八位議員分別是民主黨籍的俄亥俄州參議員布朗、台灣連線共同主席羅特(Trent Lott, R-MS)與強森(Tim Johnson, D-SD)，重量級民主黨參議員舒默(Charles Schumer, D-NY)與李柏曼(Joseph Lieberman, D-CT)，共和黨的奧克拉荷馬州參議員柯柏(Tom Coburn, R-OK)，喬治亞州的艾薩克議員(Johnny Isakson,  R-GA)以及蒙大拿州的特斯特(Jon Tester, D-MT)參議員。其中，布朗參議員曾為眾議院台灣連線發起人與共同主席之一，也是推動美國支持台灣世衛參與的主要推手。

議員們在信裡呼籲行政部門「應該致力尋求類似態度的友邦，尤其是歐盟成員，共同聯合起來支持台灣的會員籍。」議員們也在信中關切中國和世衛之間簽訂的秘密協定。「（美國）政府必須清楚地表示美國不會接受任何中國與世衛關於排除台灣醫療專家所簽署的秘密協定。目前很重要的是確保中國和世衛之間沒有針對6月15日生效的國際醫療規定有任何類似不公開或是公開的協定。」議員們在信中最後表示：「確保台灣成為世衛會員國符合美國最佳的利益。」

FAPA會長李青泰表示：「台灣不能夠繼續成為太平洋區域鎖鏈裡唯一失聯的國家，尤其當太平洋地區仍然遭受SARS，禽流感，肺結核等疾病威脅。台灣成為世衛會員國不僅符合台灣二千三百萬人的利益，拜今日科技所賜，疾病無國界，台灣世衛參與更將符合全球的利益。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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