U.S. reiterates support for Taiwan's participation in Interpol

ROC Central News Agency

2018/10/17 22:42:35

Washington, Oct. 17 (CNA) Washington on Wednesday reiterated its support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in world bodies, including Interpol, this time with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) giving a clear statement on the issue.

"The United States supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in the 192-member state International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the world's largest law enforcement organization," the DOJ told CNA in an email.

"Enabling Taiwan to engage with INTERPOL and share pertinent information about criminals and suspicious activities contributes to regional international security," Nicole Navas Oxman, spokesperson and a public affairs specialist at the DOJ, said in the email.

On Tuesday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, Interpol included.

The spokesperson made the statement after Taiwan confirmed earlier in that day that it was asking friendly countries to speak an upcoming Interpol executive committee meeting in support of its participation in Interpol's General Assembly, which is scheduled for Nov. 16-21 in Dubai.

"In organizations that require statehood for membership, the United States supports Taiwan's meaningful participation," the spokesperson said. "This includes ICAO, Interpol, WHO, and the more than 60 international organizations in which Taiwan participates."

On Monday, Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) issued a statement saying that its Commissioner Tsai Tsan-po (蔡蒼柏) had sent a letter to Interpol in September, requesting that the CIB be allowed to participate as an observer in next month's General Assembly.

Bob Chen (陳龍錦), director-general of the foreign ministry's Department of International Organizations, confirmed Tuesday that Interpol had received the letter but said it had not yet responded.

(By Chiang Chin-yeh, Joseph Yeh and Flor Wang)
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