MOFA expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' at Interpol rejection

ROC Central News Agency

2018/10/18 23:07:42

Taipei, Oct. 18 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) voiced "strong dissatisfaction and regret" Thursday after the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) declined to invite Taiwan to attend its general assembly next month in Dubai.

Taiwan has received a reply from Interpol's General Secretariat in which it refuses to invite the country to attend its general assembly as an observer from Nov. 16-21, inadequately citing a 1984 resolution recognizing the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole representative of China to Interpol, MOFA spokesman Andrew Lee (李憲章) told CNA.

In response to Interpol's reply, Lee said MOFA expresses "strong dissatisfaction and regret," noting that such a decision runs counter to the group's stated goal of building a more secure world through global police cooperation.

"Taiwan's desire to take part in Interpol is right and just and has gained support from its allies and like-minded countries, including the United States," Lee stressed, urging Interpol to make practical and feasible arrangements for Taiwan to participate in its activities so as to help avoid loopholes in the global security web.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Taiwan will continue to solicit the backing of like-minded countries in the hope that Interpol's executive committee will discuss Taiwan's request at a meeting to be held in early November before the assembly starts.

Taiwan, officially designated the Republic of China (ROC), was a member state of Interpol until 1984, when the PRC was admitted into the world body. Taiwan decided to withdraw after Interpol sought to change the country's official name from the ROC to "China Taiwan."

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said earlier in the day that it will continue to work with MOFA to push for Taiwan's participation at Interpol.

"We will continue to work with the Foreign Ministry so as to be able to cooperate with like-minded countries in the global security network and make an international contribution" the CIB said.

The CIB's statement came in the wake of an email sent by Interpol in answer to a question from a CNA correspondent in Paris about its stance on Taiwan's efforts to attend its upcoming general assembly as an observer.

"In 1984, the Interpol General Assembly decided that the government of the People's Republic of China will be the sole representative to Interpol. Expansion of access to I-24/7 beyond a national central bureau is a matter for the member country concerned," Interpol said.

On Monday, Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) issued a statement saying that its Commissioner Tsai Tsan-po (蔡蒼柏) sent a letter to Interpol in September requesting that the CIB be allowed to participate as an observer at next month's general assembly and in the organization's activities, including use of global criminal databases through Interpol's I-24/7 system.

Every Interpol member has its own National Central Bureau, which is responsible for communications with the group for international cooperation to prevent and crack down on criminal activity worldwide.

Interpol currently has 192 member countries.

(By Elaine Hou and Flor Wang)
Enditem/AW