Taipei, April 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that the exclusion of Taiwan from the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) is unfair and constitutes a loophole in containing the spread of epidemics.
He made the remarks while meeting with Rep. Philip M. Crane, chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade under the House Committee on Ways and Means, who is visiting from the United States.
Chen noted that Taiwan has performed well in curing and preventing the spread of the SARS epidemic and expressed hope that Crane will help Taiwan realize its dream of becoming an observer of the World Health Assembly next month.
Taiwan's bid to join the WHA has been stymied over the past few years by mainland China, which claims that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China.
During a reception, Chen expressed thanks to Crane for his longstanding support for Taiwan's bids to join international organizations over the years and he also stressed that the government and people are grateful for the public support from the U.S. House of Representatives for its efforts to enter the WHA.
Turning to the development of bilateral trade relations, Chen said that Taiwan is the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States, with two-way trade worth US$45 billion in 2002.
As Crane has voiced his support for setting up a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, the president said he believes bilateral economic and trade relations will be further strengthened when the FTA is signed.
Chen also told his visitor that Taiwan announced its full support for the U.S.-led war against Iraq soon after the hostilities broke out and he added that he was glad to see the victory of the coalition forces.
Reiterating Taiwan's pledge to provide humanitarian assistance and take part in post-war reconstruction efforts in Iraq, Chen said that Taiwan will contribute US$4.3 million in humanitarian aid and added that the first batch of 5,000 tons of relief rice have already been loaded on a Middle East-bound ship.
Crane praised Taiwan for its achievements in economic development and democratization and he expressed hope that an FTA can bee signed at an early date.
American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene was also present at the meeting.