US reiterates support for Taiwan’s increased international participation

2016/11/04

U.S. Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby reiterated Nov. 2 that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as Interpol and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Speaking at a foreign policy briefing at the Washington Foreign Press Center, Kirby said that climate change, international security and transnational crime are all matters of global importance requiring cooperation from stakeholders from all around the world. “We remain committed to supporting Taiwan as it seeks to expand its already significant contributions to address many of these global challenges,” Kirby said.

“In keeping with our one China policy, we support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations that do not require statehood,” he noted. “In organizations that require statehood, we support Taiwan’s meaningful participation.”

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, in a statement released Nov. 1 ahead of Interpol’s 85th General Assembly to be held Nov. 7-10 in Bali, Indonesia, said “It is imperative Taiwan is granted observer status to this organization.

“Taiwan’s exclusion heightens the risk of terrorism, which is why I have been a strong advocate for them being admitted into Interpol,” he stated, adding that he will continue to advocate Taiwan’s inclusion in Interpol and ensure the U.S. supports Taiwan at the General Assembly meeting.

The nation’s bid to join Interpol has received strong backing from U.S. lawmakers. A bill directing U.S. President Barack Obama to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in obtaining observer status, HR 1853, was proposed by Rep. Matt Salmon and approved without dissent in November 2015 by the U.S. House of Representatives.

In December the same year, Gardner introduced a bill, S 2426, aimed at promoting Taiwan’s participation in Interpol. The legislation was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate March 8 and signed into law March 18 by Obama.

The Senate bill directs the U.S. secretary of state to develop a strategy within 90 days of its enactment assisting Taiwan to obtain Interpol observer status and take part in associated activities; instruct Interpol Washington to request such status for Taiwan; and urge Interpol members to back Taiwan’s bid and participation. According to the text of S 2426, Taiwan’s exclusion from Interpol hinders the seamless flow of information between international police agencies and effectiveness of coordinated cross-border actions.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=249212&ctNode=2194&mp=9)