*EPF408 12/20/2001
House Passes Bill on U.S. Policy on Taiwan, World Health Organization
(U.S. would work for observer status for Taiwan by May 2002) (210)

By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The House of Representatives passed by unanimous consent December 19 a bill that requires the United States to plan and work toward the goal of having Taiwan obtain observer status at the next World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The bill, H.R. 2739, amends Public Law 107-10, which requires the Secretary of State to devise a United States plan "to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the United Nations World Health Organization's (WHO) assembly next year."

The amendment added text from the letter President Bush sent to Senator Frank Murkowski (Republican of Alaska) wherein he stated the United States "should find opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in international organizations in order to make a contribution, even if membership is not possible."

President Bush had said his administration "has focused on finding concrete ways for Taiwan to benefit and contribute to the WHO."

Representatives Sherrod Brown (Democrat of Ohio) and Steve Chabot (Republican of Ohio) submitted H.R. 2739 in August of this year.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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