Apr 13, 2005

Taiwan: US Ambassador Bolton Supports Taiwan World Health Organisation Bid


John Bolton, the incumbent under secretary of state for arms control and international security, voiced his support for Taiwan's bid while attending a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination
Untitled Document

Washington, April 11 (CNA) A ranking U.S. State Department official, who has been nominated for the post of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Monday that he supports Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization, as an observer. John Bolton, the incumbent under secretary of state for arms control and international security, voiced his support for Taiwan's bid while attending a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination. Bolton has said before that Taiwan meets the requirements of statehood to join the United Nations. In his confirmation hearing to become under secretary of state in 2001, Bolton had also said that he felt the admission of Taiwan to the United Nations would be consistent with the United States' one-China policy. In response to questions raised by Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) at the hearing, Bolton said that the comments he had made on Taiwan represented his opinion as a private citizen and that he does not "back away" from his remarks. However, he also said that he would accept and follow U.S. President George W. Bush's stance on cross-Taiwan Strait policy. "President Bush has expressed his view on the relationship between Taiwan and China. He's made it clear that the administration supports Taiwan as an observer in the World Health Organization but that he doesn't go beyond that. And I accept that, " Bolton said. "I know what the president's policy, and I'm prepared to follow it," he added. Bolton was nominated last month by President Bush for the post of U.S. representative to the United Nations.

Source: CNA News