Dunne calls for Clark to lend Taiwan support

United Future leader and minister Peter Dunne has exercised the liberalised rules of collective responsibility by challenging Prime Minister Helen Clark to back Taiwan's admission to the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation.

"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."

He said many people had applauded Helen Clark when she raised the issue of China's human rights record with Premier Wen Jiabao in Wellington last week.

"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 said.

The assembly will meet in Geneva from May 16 to 25.

Helen Clark said through a spokesman last night that while New Zealand had always supported the One China policy that recognised China as the legitimate Government of Taiwan, "within that framework we think that it is important that there be functional co-operation in areas such as health and we have sought to encourage that outcome in forums such as the [World Health Organisation]."