President calls Taiwan's exclusion from WHO 'unethical'

        President Chen Shui-bian urged E.U. member states May 19 to continue their support for Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Assembly (WHA)--the decision-making arm of the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), calling Taiwan's continued exclusion from the global disease prevention system "unfair" and "unethical." Chen made the appeal in a videoconference with prominent European opinion leaders in Geneva, Switzerland to garner support for Taiwan's 2006 WHA bid prior to the opening of this year's WHA on May 22. The videoconference was organized by the European Institute for Asian Studies and attended by more than 100 journalists, academics, members of the European Parliament, NGO representatives and diplomats from ROC allies stationed in Geneva.

        In his address to the conference participants, Chen said that because of China's relentless oppression, Taiwan has been shut out of the United Nations and all of its affiliates, including the WHO. As a result, he said, the 23 million Taiwanese people and nearly 400,000 foreign residents in Taiwan are being deprived of their rights. "This is completely unfair, and might even be called unethical," Chen declared.

        Chen pointed out that the European Parliament passed a resolution May 18 in support of Taiwan's endeavor and has called for the immediate inclusion of the Center for Disease Control Taiwan, ROC as a participant in the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. He expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, to the E.U. member states for this resolution, as well as for their support over the years of Taiwanese participation in WHO-sponsored activities.

        Taiwan understands the reality of international politics and therefore has sought to avoid disputes concerning sovereignty and politics by only applying, with "humility and sincerity," for observer status in the WHA, Chen said, rather than demanding formal membership in the WHO. Chen expressed regret over the repeated rejection of Taiwan's request.

        The president also condemned China for pressuring the United Nations into denying Taiwanese journalists access to the WHA proceedings.

        Noting that Taiwan would be knocking at the WHO's door in three days for the 10th time, Chen said whether Taiwan's efforts will succeed this year is certainly important, but these efforts are "no less meaningful if, during the course of the appeal, the global community can come to better understand the unfair and unreasonable treatment that Taiwan's people receive in the world arena, and if we can make more friends and win greater support." The videoconference was presided over by Willem van der Geest, director of the European Institute of Asian Studies. During the two-hour videoconference, Chen also exchanged views with prominent European opinion leaders on a range of other issues, including cross-strait ties and Taiwan's relations with European countries.

        Philippe Regnier, director of the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Geneva, asked the president if it would be possible for Taiwan to develop relations with China under the model of a confederation, similar to that of the Canton of Geneva and the Swiss Confederation. In response, Chen stressed that the political future of Taiwan may take any form, as long as it comes with the consent of the people of Taiwan.

        "We hold nothing against China," Chen explained, "nor do we view the 1.3 billion people of China as enemies." He added, however, that he does not believe conditions are ripe for such a model, nor does he believe that Taiwan's people would accept a confederation with China. He explained that this is because China has repeatedly tried to belittle Taiwan and marginalize the country, and has refused to deal with its democratically elected government.

        Chen added that his administration would be willing to start negotiations on any issue with the Chinese government under the principles of sovereignty, democracy, parity and peace.