By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Senator Robert Torricelli (Democrat of New Jersey) has introduced a bill that would require the United States to seek observer status for Taiwan at the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual World Health Assembly.

Torricelli submitted S. 1932 to the Senate February 12. The proposed bill was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The bill is similar to legislation passed in previous Congresses as legislative supporters for Taiwan have sought to ensure it has representation in various international fora.

The bill's author seeks to gain Taiwan's presence at the May 2002 World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

Torricelli sits on two Foreign Relations subcommittees -- the East Asia and Pacific Affairs panel and the International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion subcommittee. Torricelli is also a member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Rules Committee.