President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of December 10 at the Presidential Office met with Susan Waffa-Ogoo, Donatus St. Aimee and Joel Musa Nhleko, the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations (UN) from the Republic of The Gambia, St. Lucia and the Kingdom of Swaziland, respectively. The president expressed a warm welcome and appreciation to the guests on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan).
President Ma said the ROC (Taiwan) hopes that the UN will listen to the desires of the 23 million people of Taiwan to participate in activities of UN-affiliated organizations. He said that in September, the UN General Assembly did pay attention to this issue during its general debate thanks to the efforts of many, including the three visiting guests. The president expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the nation's friends and allies in this regard.
The president also commented that due to the passage of UN Resolution 2758, the ROC on November 25, 1971 lost its right to represent China in the global body. It also gradually lost its representation in many UN-affiliated organizations, which dealt a significant blow to the ROC. He said what transpired has had enormous impacts on the ROC's external relations, whether it be with regards to trade, investment, culture or education.
President Ma said that participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) is the common desire of the 23 million people of Taiwan and he deeply appreciates all of the efforts made by the three permanent representatives to the UN on behalf of Taiwan. He said he hopes they will continue to support and speak on behalf of Taiwan to help the ROC (Taiwan) participate in more international organizations.
The president furthermore said the ROC (Taiwan) places special emphasis on being able to join the WHA and the World Health Organization (WHO). He said the concerns of these international health-oriented agencies are not political rights, but rather the right to health for every individual and a basic human right in the broad sense. President Ma said he hopes the government of the ROC (Taiwan) will lead the 23 million people of Taiwan in obtaining these rights. In 2003, he said, dozens of people died here due to SARS. If the ROC (Taiwan) is able to take part in WHO-related activities, it would have access to a more rapid and accurate body of information, enabling Taiwan to be more successful in its response to the outbreak of disease. Medical and health work is crucial to the lives and wellbeing of the public, he said. President Ma once again asked the three guests to continue to support the ROC (Taiwan) in its efforts to obtain observer status in the WHA next year.