Congress
of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
April 19, 2002
The
President
The
White House
Washington,
DC 20500
Dear
Mr. President,
Thank
you for recently signing H.R. 2739 into law, which authorizes
a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status
for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly
in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Your
support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health
Organization (WHO) was evidenced in your May 11, 2001
letter to Senator Frank Murkowski. Secretary of Health
and Human Services Tommy Thompson's remarks at last year's
World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting and Assistant Secretary
of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly's
testimony before the International Relations Committee's
East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee are greatly appreciated
by all members of Congress.
The
tragic events of September 11th underscore
the need for the world medical community to respond effectively
to terrorist attacks, whether they be chemical, biological,
or nuclear. They also bring additional rationale for Taiwan's
integration into this community. As an active participant
in the world medical community, Taiwan could bring its
rich resources into play to the benefit of all mankind.
We
respectfully request that you ask the State Department
to initiate a plan to endorse and obtain observer status
for Taiwan at the May 2002 Geneva WHA meeting. Your open
declaration of support for Taiwan's WHO observer status
would encourage the People's Republic of China and the
rest of the international community to be more receptive
to Taiwan's participation in the WHO and other international
organizations.
Thank
you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
