The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday expressed its gratitude for the US House of Representatives’ unanimous passage on Monday of a bill in support of Taiwan’s participation in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) as an observer.
“The ministry welcomes and appreciates the House of Representatives’ support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations with concrete actions,” Department of North American Affairs Director-General Christine Hsueh (薛美瑜) said, adding it would continue to seek support from the US Senate for the bill.
The bill, H.R. 1853, was introduced in April by two Republican representatives, Matt Salmon and Ed Royce, and two Democrats, Eliot Engel and Brad Sherman.
Before the bill was referred to the full floor for a vote, it had already received the bipartisan endorsement of 114 representatives.
The bill now moves to the US Senate for a screening and a vote.
The bill directs US President Barack Obama to “develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in Interpol” and “instruct Interpol Washington to officially request observer status for Taiwan in Interpol and to actively urge Interpol member states to support such observer status and participation for Taiwan.”
The US president is also required, within 30 days after enactment of the bill, to present to Congress a report describing the US’ strategy to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan in Interpol and other related meetings and activities.
The bill is the latest initiative by the US Congress to urge the Obama administration to support Taiwan’s joining of international organizations. US lawmakers have previously pushed for US support of Taiwan’s bids to participate in the World Health Assembly and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Upon learning the news, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington also expressed its appreciation of the House vote.
The US Congress has realized that Taiwan’s participation in the organization and the sharing of criminal information would help fight human and gun trafficking, cross-border crimes and international terrorism, the office said.
Taiwan was a full member of Interpol starting in 1964 through the National Police Administration, but lost its membership in 1984, when the People’s Republic of China applied to join the organization.
This has prevented Taiwan from gaining access to Interpol’s I-24/7 global police communications system that provides real-time information on criminals and global criminal activities, leaving Taiwan dependent on secondhand information from friendly nations.
In its 1994 Taiwan Policy Review, the US declared its intention to support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations and has consistently reiterated that support.
Additional reporting by Stacy Hsu
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