WHO finds new way to snub Taiwan at summit

[dArKeR]

By Joy Su
STAFF REPORTER
Thursday, May 13, 2004,Page 1





Lin Shih-chia, left, executive director of the Medical Professionals Alliance, and DPP Legislator Chien Chao-tung show the T-shirts that members of their delegation to Geneva will wear and the brochures they will distribute.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

The World Health Organization (WHO) has banned Taiwanese journalists from its annual summit in Geneva.

Authorities overseeing press accreditation for the World Health Assembly (WHA) confirmed yesterday that journalists holding Taiwanese passports would not be permitted to enter the assembly building.

According to the UN Department of Public Information, the office in charge of accreditation, this year's regulations state that Taiwanese passport holders will not be issued press passes as Taiwan is not a UN member state.

While the regulation is not new to the UN, it is a change to WHA accreditation procedures. In past years, accreditation had been processed by the WHO Media and Communications office and Taiwanese nationality was not a barrier.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/05/13/2003155234

[dArKeR]

1. WHO acts as China's accomplice

The nation got a grim reminder yesterday of just how low China, and its accomplice the World Health Organization (WHO), will go to suppress Taiwan.

The annual World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting is scheduled for next Monday to May 21 in Geneva. As Taiwan's official delegation, accompanied by the local media, were set to leave for Geneva, WHO officials informed Taiwan's journalists late Tuesday night that because Taiwan is not a member of the UN, journalists holding a Taiwanese passport will not be allowed to cover the meeting.

The WHO officials said the decision on applications by Taiwanese journalists to cover the meeting will be handled by UN departments. WHO spokesman Iain Simpson told the journalists that the UN's decision was made due to the threat of international terrorist activities. This means that UN security staff will be more strict at the WHA meeting.

We know that the decision was not made by the WHO officials responsible for contacting the Taiwanese media. They were simply the messengers. Still, the nation's media were shocked and angered when told of the WHO's decision.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/05/13/2003155300