Taipei, April 28 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian made a pitch for Taiwan's access to the World Health Organization (WHO) to a group of visiting Japanese dietmen Monday, saying that the country's absence from the health body is a loss to the organization.
Citing the outbreak of SARS in Taiwan as an example, Chen told the pro-Taiwan dietmen led by Taro Aso that epidemics know no political boundaries and neither should the WHO when choosing its members.
Although SARS is threatening to get out of hand in Taiwan after a number of medical staff at a Taipei hospital fell sick April 24 with symptoms indicative of SARS, the president said with confidence that the disease will be brought under control eventually.
He thanked Tokyo for its support for Taiwan's WHO bid and thanked Aso and his delegation for their visit to Taiwan despite the absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries.