*EPF307 05/21/2003
Text: Senate's Second Ranking Democrat Wants Taiwan Observers in WHO
(Senator Reid on World Health Organization, spread of SARS) (280)

Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid (Democrat of Nevada) says the failure of the World Health Organization (WHO) to give observer status to Taiwan has hindered Taipei's efforts to halt the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among its population of 23 million.

In remarks to the Senate May 20, Reid, the second ranking Democrat in the Senate, said the SARS crisis highlighted the need for Taiwan to have observer status in the WHO.

Following are the May 20 remarks of Senator Harry Reid from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

GRANTING TAIWAN MEMBERSHIP TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Senate

May 20, 2003

Mr. REID. Mr. President, 3 years ago today, Chen Shui-bian was democratically elected President of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Under President Chen's strong leadership, Taiwan has remained true to its democratic values and has continued to be a model for its neighbors in the region. But as the Taiwanese people prepare to celebrate the third anniversary of their President's election, they also are struggling to contain the recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS, in their country. The WHO's refusal to grant membership or even observer status to Taiwan has hindered the Nation's ability to halt the spread of SARS, and has placed the health of all 23 million Taiwanese in jeopardy. This crisis highlights Taiwan's urgent need to obtain observer status in the WHO.

I urge the WHO to give Taiwan access to all the resources it needs to fight SARS so that President Chen can be as successful in the coming years as he has been during the last 3.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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