Wednesday, 12 April 2006

Dunne: Let Taiwan into the WHA

United Future leader Peter Dunne wants the Government to support Taiwan's admission to the World Health Assembly.

Last week he presented Parliament with a petition, signed by over 1600 Taiwanese community leaders, calling for New Zealand to back Taiwan's admission to this year's World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva.

"At a time when the world is facing the prospect of the serious bird flu pandemic, it is simply wrong that countries are excluded from international health meetings for political reasons.

"Bird flu and other serious diseases do not recognise international boundaries, and the people of Taiwan have as much right as anyone else in the world to be part of the international effort to curb the spread of such pestilence," he says.

Mr Dunne says many people applauded the Prime Minister when she raised the issue of China's appalling human rights record with the visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

"Let her now show similar concern for the health status of the people of Taiwan by New Zealand supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly," Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

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