A pro-Taiwan member of the US House of Representatives introduced legislation on Thursday that would promote Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
The legislation is led by Matt Salmon, chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. The bipartisan bill will require the US president to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in Interpol within 30 days. The process will involve an official request for observer status for Taiwan, active urging of member states to assist in the effort, and a status report to Congress.
In a news release Thursday, Salmon said that observer status for Taiwan would promote stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region. He also believes that it will assist Taiwan in protecting its citizens by combatting criminal activity through access to Interpol’s global police communications systems.
Taiwan used to be a full member of Interpol but its membership was revoked in 1984, when the People's Republic of China successfully applied for membership.
Co-sponsors of the bill include Ed Royce, Eliot Engel and Brad Sherman. In a statement, Royce, chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed confidence that the legislation will move through the committee.