TAIWAN RECEPTIVE TO UNILATERAL ADHERENCE TO IHR

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001540

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS AIT/W,


GENEVA FOR DAVID HOHMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PREL WHO CH TW
SUBJECT: TAIWAN RECEPTIVE TO UNILATERAL ADHERENCE TO IHR
RESPONSIBILITIES

REF: A. STATE 66826 B. BEIJING 08103


1. (U) AIT delivered ref A demarche to Department of Health
(DOH) Director General Peter Chang on May 2. Drawing from
points in ref A, ESTHOFF also briefed Chang about U.S.
efforts in Beijing seeking additional participation for
Taiwan in WHO health activities. Chang seemed pleased with
this approach but had some procedural issues he wished to
raise with AIT. Pls. see action request in para 3.

--Chang said he had met with high-level EU officials during a
recent European trip and through them learned that WHO had
already notified some EU members that WHO acknowledged
Taiwan's participation in the Global Outbreak Alert Response
Network (GOARN) through Taiwan's Center for Disease Control
(TCDC) and that Taiwan experts had been put on the GOARN
contact list. Chang inquired if WHO had notified the U.S. of
the same.

--As for Taiwan's unilateral assumption of International
Health Regulations (IHR) responsibilities, Taiwan is unsure
what the best venue for that would be and at what specific
time. Chang asked if the U.S. believes that a press
conference timed before the start of the WHA meetings would
be most appropriate.


2. (SBU) Regarding ref A concerns about statements by Taiwan
officials favoring full WHO membership for Taiwan, Chang said
he was aware that a number of Legislative Yuan members and
NGOs had been lobbying for full WHO membership for Taiwan but
that they had not yet approached government officials and
solicited help. Chang said Taiwan's official aim had not
changed, namely to obtain observer status at the World Health
Assembly (WHA). In response to ref A concerns about outdated
and misleading information on Avian Influenza and Taiwan's
status at WHO on official websites, Chang said that the DOH
is in the process of revising and updating its website so it
reflects the current facts and official position.


3. (SBU) Action request. AIT requests assistance in verifying
if WHO Secretariat has communicated with its EU membership
acknowledging Taiwan's participation in GOARN (and whether
the U.S. representative has been notified of same). We would
also appreciate guidance on the best venue and timing for
Taiwan to announce its unilateral assumption of IHR
responsibilities.
YOUNG