US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI3664

UNCLAS TAIPEI 003664 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS AIT/W 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, AEMR, ASEC, CASC, MARR, AMGT, US, ESTH, Foreign Policy, Military Issues 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: TAIWAN OFFERS MEDICAL TEAM, SUPPLIES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 163366 
 
1.  (U) AIT Acting Director David J. Keegan on September 4 
delivered reftel list of priority needs to the Taiwan 
government through Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Division of North American Affairs Secretary General Victor 
Chin.  SecGen Chin delivered that information to Taiwan 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen the same day. 
 
2.  (U) In addition to an offer of US $2 million, which has 
been directed to AIT/Washington per EAP instructions, SecGen 
Chin advised that Taiwan is prepared to send two medical 
doctors, Dr. LO Chong-jeh and Dr. TSAI, Ming-che.  Both 
doctors have previously responded to natural disaster medical 
emergencies, including the South Asia tsunami.  Both doctors 
speak English.  Dr. Lo graduated from Tulane University and 
knows the New Orleans area well.  Both doctors are prepared 
to depart for New Orleans immediately. 
 
3.  (U)  SecGen Chin also advised that the Taiwan Department 
of Health is able to donate two WHO-standard packages of 
medical supplies, each weighing one metric ton.  The Taiwan 
government is working with UPS Taiwan to arrange for shipment. 
 
4.  (U)  The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Executive 
Yuan will be holding meetings on Monday, September 5 to 
determine how Taiwan can be of further assistance. 
 
5.  (U)  As directed in STATE 163278, AIT Acting Director 
accepted Taiwan's contribution in principle, promised to 
convey their of assistance to Washington, and promised to 
keep the Taiwan government informed on how and whether to 
move forward in implementing their offer. 
KEEGAN