For Immediate Release
Washington DC – May 13, 2011
Contact: (202) 547-3686
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。」
