Taiwan Today
Date: March 11, 2016
A bill boosting Taiwan’s participation in the International Criminal Police
Taiwan’s bid for Interpol observer status is receiving firm support from the U.S. executive and legislative branches. (CNA)
Organization (Interpol) was passed unanimously March 8 by the U.S. Senate.
Introduced by Sen. Cory Gardner and co-sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin in December 2015, S 2426 follows HR 1853. The latter was proposed by Rep. Matt Salmon and approved without dissent in November the same year by the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a statement welcoming passage of the Senate bill, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs said March 9 that the U.S. executive branch is also a staunch supporter of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in Interpol. Senior Department of State officials Daniel Russel, Kurt Tong and Susan Thornton have endorsed Taiwan’s observer bid in the organization on several occasions.
“These developments underscore the great importance Washington attaches to Taiwan’s expanded participation in international organizations,” a MOFA official said. “Such long-term bipartisan support also shows that Taiwan-U.S. relations are at their best state in 37 years.” [FULL STORY]