U.S. withdrawal from WHO over claims of China influence to take effect July 2021: U.N.

[webfact]

U.S. withdrawal from WHO over claims of China influence to take effect July 2021: U.N.

 

FILE PHOTO: A logo of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seen before a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States will leave the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 6, 2021, the United Nations said on Tuesday, after receiving notification of the decision by President Donald Trump, who has accused the agency of becoming a puppet for China during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Trump, who announced the decision over a month ago, has to give one-year notice of the U.S. withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and pay all Washington's dues under a 1948 joint resolution of the U.S. Congress. The United States currently owes the WHO more than $200 million in assessed contributions, according to the WHO website.

 

After more than 70 years of membership, the United States moved to quit the WHO amid escalating tensions with China over the coronavirus pandemic. The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

 

The WHO has denied assertions by Trump that it promoted Chinese "disinformation" about the virus.

 

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Trump's official withdrawal as "an act of true senselessness as WHO coordinates the global fight against COVID-19."

 

"With millions of lives at risk, the President is crippling the international effort to defeat the virus," the Democratic leader posted on Twitter.

So far there have been nearly 12 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 540,000 known deaths worldwide, according to a Reuters tally, with about 25% of both cases and deaths in the United States.

 

Trump's decision could be overturned before it takes effect if he is defeated by his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, in a November election.

 

Trump had halted funding for the 194-member organization in April, then in a May 18 letter gave the WHO 30 days to commit to reforms. He announced the United States would quit less than two weeks later.

 

Vice President Mike Pence, asked in a Fox News Channel interview whether it was the right time to break with the WHO, said: "It's absolutely the right time."

 

"The World Health Organization let the world down ... There have to be consequences to this," Pence said.

 

The WHO is an independent international body that works with the United Nations. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that the WHO is "absolutely critical to the world's efforts to win the war against COVID-19."

 

"The Secretary-General ... is in the process of verifying with the World Health Organization whether all the conditions for such withdrawal are met," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Tuesday.

 

Since taking office, Trump has also quit the U.N. Human Rights Council, the U.N. cultural agency, a global accord to tackle climate change and the Iran nuclear deal. He has also cut funding for the U.N. population fund and the U.N. agency that aids Palestinian refugees.

 

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Mohammad Zargham and Eric Beech; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Bill Berkrot)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-08

 

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[khwaibah]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

U.S. withdrawal from WHO over claims of China influence to take effect July 2021: U.N.

 

I don't think so.????

[simon43]

IMHO, the WHO has lost credibility.  Adopting a stance where their spokespeople don't even dare to utter the word 'Taiwan' clearly demonstrates that they are nothing more than CCP shills.  Such a pity, because I'm sure there are many good and dedicated people working in that organisation.

[Tug]

Not gonna happen come January that and a lot of other things will change 

[Kinnock]

A health NGO with political allegiances to select countries and a politician as its' leader cannot be right - but the biggest concern was theur poor leadership when the world needed them most.

 

Should be disbanded and rebuilt outside of the UN as a neutral organization managed by real medical and health professionals.

[Bkk Brian]

No doubt the nail on the head for withdrawal was the recently published report by the HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, a good read

 

"It is clear Director-General Tedros seriously erred in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with a concerning history of covering up outbreaks of cholera in his home country of Ethiopia and repeated delays in declaring a PHEIC in response to the Kivu Ebola epidemic, we believe there is an established pattern of poor decision making and political deference that has weakened the ability of the WHO to fulfill its mandate. We do not expect, nor require, the head of the WHO to be perfect. However, Director-General Tedros has repeatedly defended his decisions, responded to Taiwan’s criticism by accusing their government of supporting racists, 194 and praised the CCP’s deplorable actions in response to the outbreak.

 

Director-General Tedros should accept responsibility for his detrimental impact on the COVID-19 response and resign. The health of the world cannot afford incompetence and poor management."

 

Strong words indeed................

 

https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Interim-Minority-Report-on-the-Origins-of-the-COVID-19-Global-Pandemic-Including-the-Roles-of-the-CCP-and-WHO-6.15.20.pdf

[Eric Loh]

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

No doubt the nail on the head for withdrawal was the recently published report by the HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, a good read

 

"It is clear Director-General Tedros seriously erred in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with a concerning history of covering up outbreaks of cholera in his home country of Ethiopia and repeated delays in declaring a PHEIC in response to the Kivu Ebola epidemic, we believe there is an established pattern of poor decision making and political deference that has weakened the ability of the WHO to fulfill its mandate. We do not expect, nor require, the head of the WHO to be perfect. However, Director-General Tedros has repeatedly defended his decisions, responded to Taiwan’s criticism by accusing their government of supporting racists, 194 and praised the CCP’s deplorable actions in response to the outbreak.

 

Director-General Tedros should accept responsibility for his detrimental impact on the COVID-19 response and resign. The health of the world cannot afford incompetence and poor management."

 

Strong words indeed................

 

https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Interim-Minority-Report-on-the-Origins-of-the-COVID-19-Global-Pandemic-Including-the-Roles-of-the-CCP-and-WHO-6.15.20.pdf

Certainly strong words from the bipartisan House Foreign Affairs Committee demanding DG Tedros to justify his leadership and decision making and insinuating WHO reform. As the largest contributor to WHO, US can drive the reform as a member with like minded allies. Withdrawal simply eliminate that possibility. Seem more of another of the blame victim falling to political expediency.   

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Certainly strong words from the bipartisan House Foreign Affairs Committee demanding DG Tedros to justify his leadership and decision making and insinuating WHO reform. As the largest contributor to WHO, US can drive the reform as a member with like minded allies. Withdrawal simply eliminate that possibility. Seem more of another of the blame victim falling to political expediency.   

Perhaps other organizations should demand proof that trump is a credible and focused leader contributing outstandingly to the advancement of the world.

[Deli]

Good move from th US, no funding for these muppets.

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Trump's official withdrawal as "an act of true senselessness as WHO coordinates the global fight against COVID-19."

Bedtime stories from doddering Aunt Pelosi.   What coordination?  Air travel is okay?  Don't wear masks? We don't listen to or acknowledge the Taiwanese?  If it were up to Pelosi, Schumer and hiden' Biden, China would have no competition from the US.  

[from the home of CC]

the who definitely made mistakes and possibly some intentionally. But imo it seems that the US has put a noose around its own neck and jumped from the statue of liberty..

[Isaan sailor]

No worries.  Xi and Bill Gates will pick up the tab.  WHO has become a puppet agency of CCP.

[Stadtler]

Stadtler abhors the WHO and NON Medical Doctor Tedros.

 

Bah Humbug!

[Proboscis]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

IMHO, the WHO has lost credibility.  Adopting a stance where their spokespeople don't even dare to utter the word 'Taiwan' clearly demonstrates that they are nothing more than CCP shills.  Such a pity, because I'm sure there are many good and dedicated people working in that organisation.

Who is the boss of the spokesman? Answer: the WORLD HEALTH ASSOCIATION, of which the USA is a member. If the USA or any other Western country wants Taiwan included in the World Health Association (the ruling authority of the WHO), all they have to do is table the motion and put it up for a vote.

 

The WHO is not some organization that is independent of the membership of the World Health Association - it has to dance to the WHA's tune. By suggesting that the WHO is a "CCP shill," you are saying that the WHA is the CCP shill and, by implication, the USA under the leadership of President Trump, is a CCP shill.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

Bedtime stories from doddering Aunt Pelosi.   What coordination?  Air travel is okay?  Don't wear masks? We don't listen to or acknowledge the Taiwanese?  If it were up to Pelosi, Schumer and hiden' Biden, China would have no competition from the US.  

No competition from the US?

You mean like Trump abandoning Hong Kong to China's direct subversion? 

[simon43]

28 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

Who is the boss of the spokesman? Answer: the WORLD HEALTH ASSOCIATION, of which the USA is a member. If the USA or any other Western country wants Taiwan included in the World Health Association (the ruling authority of the WHO), all they have to do is table the motion and put it up for a vote.

 

The WHO is not some organization that is independent of the membership of the World Health Association - it has to dance to the WHA's tune. By suggesting that the WHO is a "CCP shill," you are saying that the WHA is the CCP shill and, by implication, the USA under the leadership of President Trump, is a CCP shill.

Your knowledge of the actions of the WHA are lacking ....

 

It was not the USA that voted Taiwan out from observer status of the WHA.

 

Have a read and educate yourself.

 

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/05/19/us-statement-on-taiwan-participation-at-the-world-health-assembly.html

[natway09]

U gotta be a little careful before you cry "Wolf" & shut the whole world down before you are sure.

In saying that they got it wrong, but what "The Goose" Trump has conveniently forgotten to tell the world is that when he did get official confirmation of concern it was swept under the carpet for nearly 6 weeks as just being "the wu fly" & nothing to be concerned about

I watched the interview myself

[johnpetersen]

6 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

No doubt the nail on the head for withdrawal was the recently published report by the HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, a good read

 

"It is clear Director-General Tedros seriously erred in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with a concerning history of covering up outbreaks of cholera in his home country of Ethiopia and repeated delays in declaring a PHEIC in response to the Kivu Ebola epidemic, we believe there is an established pattern of poor decision making and political deference that has weakened the ability of the WHO to fulfill its mandate. We do not expect, nor require, the head of the WHO to be perfect. However, Director-General Tedros has repeatedly defended his decisions, responded to Taiwan’s criticism by accusing their government of supporting racists, 194 and praised the CCP’s deplorable actions in response to the outbreak.

 

Director-General Tedros should accept responsibility for his detrimental impact on the COVID-19 response and resign. The health of the world cannot afford incompetence and poor management."

 

Strong words indeed................

 

https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Interim-Minority-Report-on-the-Origins-of-the-COVID-19-Global-Pandemic-Including-the-Roles-of-the-CCP-and-WHO-6.15.20.pdf

No, it may have been published by the House Foreign Affairs Committe, but it was in fact, a minority report of the GOP.

[Sujo]

2 hours ago, Stadtler said:

The boss of non-doctor Tedros is a pig-faced little man named Xi Jing Ping.

Trump is not a dr but seems to think he knows best. Even said he doesnt agree with his chosen one fauci.

 

[candide]

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

Bedtime stories from doddering Aunt Pelosi.   What coordination?  Air travel is okay?  Don't wear masks? We don't listen to or acknowledge the Taiwanese?  If it were up to Pelosi, Schumer and hiden' Biden, China would have no competition from the US.  

Lol!

If it were up to them, there would be a Trans-Pacific Partnership in which the US would be able to efficiently fight China's economic influence in the region.

[Traubert]

13 minutes ago, candide said:

Lol!

If it were up to them, there would be a Trans-Pacific Partnership in which the US would be able to efficiently fight China's economic influence in the region.

Too little too late.

 

 

[Stadtler]

3 minutes ago, johnpetersen said:

What Stadtler doesn't understand is that a doctor isn't what is needed to run a public health organization. What is needed is an expert in public health.

Every leader of the WHO prior to TEDROS has been a real doctor.

[Stadtler]

10 minutes ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

No but picking on Tedros and posting he is not a doctor.

Tedros is not a medical doctor.

 

Pointing out this FACT is not picking on him. 

 

It is pointing out a FACT.

 

 

[Meat Pie 47]

2 minutes ago, Stadtler said:

Every leader of the WHO prior to TEDROS has been a real doctor.

list all countries where the health minister is a doctor

[digger70]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The United States currently owes the WHO more than $200 million in assessed contributions, according to the WHO website.

This doesn't sound right to me . 

Since when is a  Contribution  an Assessed Owed Payment.

[simple1]

5 hours ago, Deli said:

Good move from th US, no funding for these muppets.

WHO has done outstanding work around the world for decades. Yes, WHO initially made an error of judgement, but when they were finally granted access to Wuhan (WHO has no power to demand, they must use diplomacy) in late February they very quickly rectified their errors. trump continued with his denials for weeks and ignored his own intelligence agencies causing immense damage to the US. WHO funding withdrawal, if trump retains power, is an act driven by political self interest (red meat for his base). not in the best interest of the US or the world in general.

[Searat7]

What they need most is a change of leadership in WHO in order to restore confidence and China should not be picking the new leader.

[metisdead]

Troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Traubert]

21 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

What they need most is a change of leadership in WHO in order to restore confidence and China should not be picking the new leader.

I believe its done with a vote amongst the 194(?) member countries.

[Yankeesvsredsox]

 

It is in the USA interest to defund the WHO, especially while the director is in charge. He ultimately makes the final decision for  the organizations agenda. His reported controversial ties with  Marxism and  the  Chinese Communist have endangered USA national security! 

The Marxist  ideology is and  has been a threat and is gaining strength in the USA,especially  with recent events since George Floyd  tragic demise!

 

https://www.france24.com/en/20200519-who-hijacked-the-who-and-can-it-impact-the-covid-19-whodunnit

Edited July 8, 2020 by Yankeesvsredsox