Text: Taiwan -- Observer Status at 2002 World Health Assembly
(State Department statement)Following is the text of a question on observer status for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly taken at the March 20 regular State Department briefing; an answer was posted later in the day:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the SpokesmanMarch 20, 2002
QUESTION TAKEN AT MARCH 20, 2002 PRESS BRIEFING
Taiwan: Senate Bill on Observer Status at the World Health Organization
Question: What is the State Department's view on the Senate's adoption of HR 2739, a bill to authorize the Department to initiate a plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the May 13-17 World Health Assembly?
Answer: The Department supports the overall goal of Taiwan's participation in the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and has long worked closely with Taiwan authorities to advance that objective. We have urged the World Health Organization and its members to find appropriate ways for Taiwan to participate. We will continue to do so.
U.S. policy is to support Taiwan's membership in international organizations where statehood is not an issue. In those organizations in which it cannot be a member, we support finding ways for Taiwan's voice to be heard.
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