TAIWAN STRATEGY AT WHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 001061

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DHHS FOR OS/OGH MARK ABDOO; GENEVA FOR DHOHMAN; BEIJING FOR
DSELIGSOHN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2012
TAGS: WHO TBIO PREL CH TW
SUBJECT: TAIWAN STRATEGY AT WHA

REF: A. STATE 61739

B. TAIPEI 948

C. TAIPEI 805

Classified By: AIT Deputy Director Robert S. Wang for
reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) SUMMARY. This is an action cable (see para 4). MOFA
and DOH officials discussed Taiwan's strategy for the
upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in Geneva with
AIT on May 9. MOFA officials stated Taiwan intends to ask
its allies to introduce a Supplementary Item on Taiwan's WHO
membership application at the WHA General Committee meeting
next week. They also noted that TECRO/Washington had
informed MOFA that HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt will write a
letter of support for Taiwan to WHO DG Margaret Chan. DOH
officials reported that DOH Minister Hou had written a letter
to his PRC counterpart proposing a non-conditional meeting in
Geneva or a mutually convenient place to talk about Taiwan's
participation in WHO. They also asked about the possibility
of HHS Secretary Leavitt meeting with DOH Minister Hou on the
margins of the WHA during Hou's May 11-16 visit to Geneva.
AIT requested this meeting with MOFA and DOH Lin to convey
the WHA talking points in State 61739. END SUMMARY


2. (C) AIT Political Chief and ESTH officer met with MOFA
International Organizations (MOFA/IO) Director-General (DG)
David Lin and Department of Health Bureau of International
Cooperation (DOH/BIC) DG Peter Chang on May 9 to present the
WHA talking points in Ref A in support of (1) sharing of
Avian Influenza virus samples and (2) retaining smallpox
virus samples at CDC Atlanta and Novosibirsk, Russia. Lin
and Chang expressed appreciation for the presentation, noting
that both issues affect Taiwan's health interests. (Note:
Although Taiwan is not a WHO Member or Observer, AIT
regularly briefs Taiwan authorities on issues involving the
UN and other international organizations that directly affect
Taiwan's interests. End Note.)

ALLIES TO PUSH MEMBERSHIP AGENDA FOR TAIWAN
--------------


3. (C) AIT then inquired about Taiwan's Plans for the WHA
meeting in Geneva next week. MOFA/IA DG Lin responded that
Taiwan will not be pursuing observer status at WHA this year
since all its efforts are focused on its membership quest in
WHO. Taiwan intends to ask an ally or allies to introduce a
Supplementary Item in support of Taiwan's membership
application during the WHA General Committee session in the
hope that it will generate discussion and improve Taiwan's
participation in the health
body. AIT Pol Chief told Lin that although the U.S. does not
support such a move, it nonetheless continues to support
Taiwan's quest for observer status and meaningful
participation.

DOH MINISTER HOU REQUESTS LEAVITT MEETING
--------------


4. (C) DOH/IA DG Peter Chang told AIT that DOH Minister Hou
Shen-mou would like to meet with HHS Secretary Michael
Leavitt during Hou's May 11-16 visit to Geneva. AIT agreed
to pass this request to Washington for consideration and to
convey any response back to DOH. Chang also told AIT that
Minister Hou had written a letter to his PRC counterpart
proposing a non-conditional meeting in Geneva or elsewhere to
discuss WHO issues. (Note: A similar proposal by Hou last
year was rebuffed by the PRC. End Note.) AIT Pol Chief
stated that the U.S. favors dialogue between the two sides
but was aware of
the PRC's reticence about meeting with officials from Taiwan.
MOFA/IO DG Lin noted that TECRO/Washington had informed them
that Secretary Leavitt had also agreed to draft a letter to
WHO DG Margaret Chan in support of Taiwan's meaningful
Participation in WHO activities. Action for Department:
Please advise if HHS Secretary Leavitt can meet with DOH
Minister Hou in Geneva during the May 11-16 period.






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