President Chen Shui-bian on April 17 met with Former Chairman of the United States House International Relations Committee Henry Hyde. President Chen expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to Former Chairman Hyde on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan).
President Chen first expressed his deep appreciation for Former Chairman Hyde's staunch support for Taiwan when he served as Chairman of the House International Relations Committee. The president noted that Former Chairman Hyde made his first visit to Taiwan in 1978. At that time, changes were taking place in the relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The United States formally announced that it was breaking diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishing formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Despite the turbulence during that period, Former Chairman Hyde came to Taiwan, offering encouragement and support to the people of Taiwan. Meanwhile, upon learning of the shooting of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu during their campaigning on March 19, 2004, Former Chairman Hyde personally sent a letter to the two, expressing his concern. President Chen said that this left a deep impression on him.
President Chen said that China passed the Anti-separation Law on March 14, 2005. Two days after the passage of the legislation, Former Chairman Hyde raised a resolution in the House of Representatives expressing grave concern about the law. The resolution was immediately passed. Then on January 30 of this year, Former Chairman Hyde along with present Chairman of the House International Relations Committee Tom Lantos affixed their signatures to a letter to Dr. Lee Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization, jointly supporting Taiwan's efforts to participate in the WHO. Former Chairman Hyde on April 4, 2006 was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon for his staunch support for Taiwan and contributions to furthering friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries. The honor was bestowed by Dr. David Tawei Lee, then Taiwan's chief representative in the US, on behalf of the ROC (Taiwan) government and people.
In speaking of Taiwan's efforts to join the WHO, President Chen said that on April 11 of this year, he formally sent a letter to Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, Director-General of the WHO, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan. He said the letter expressed the strong desire of the government and 23 million people of Taiwan to enter the WHO under the name Taiwan.
The president said the United States has long supported Taiwan's efforts to join the WHO and has especially hoped that Taiwan be granted observer status in the World Health Assembly. At the WHA in 2004, the United States and Japan both voted in favor of providing Taiwan observer status. Despite 10 years of work, Taiwan has yet to be successful in its efforts to gain observer status or admission to the organization. President Chen stressed that this year, Taiwan is undertaking a three-pronged approach. In addition to its previous stances of seeking observer status in the WHA and meaningful participation in the WHO, Taiwan this year is expressing its strong desire to enter the WHO using the moniker Taiwan. The president said he hopes the democratic community will pay attention to and support Taiwan's efforts.