Chairman Matt Salmon Introduces Legislation to Allow Taiwan Entrance to INTERPOL

Statement

Rep. Matt Salmon, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, today introduced legislation that would promote Taiwan's participation as an observer in International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL.

"For 36 years, the Taiwan Relations Act has helped promote peace and stability in Asia and facilitated a productive unofficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan. In the spirit of the TRA, I am pleased to introduce important legislation that advocates the U.S. government support Taiwan's efforts to obtain observer status in INTERPOL. Taiwan's observer status would promote stability and security in the Asia Pacific region and assist Taiwan in protecting the safety of its citizens by combatting criminal activity through access to INTERPOL's global police communications systems. Taiwan currently relies on the United States' and other countries' secondhand information and it is unable to share information on criminals to member countries--generating inefficiencies in addressing criminal activity in the region. With the rise in terrorism throughout the globe, not allowing Taiwan independent and easy access to INTERPOL is an unnecessary and dangerous risk.

"With bipartisan original cosponsors on the House Foreign Affairs Committee from Reps. Royce, Engel, and Sherman, I am confident that this legislation reflects Congress' support for Taiwan. I remain a close friend of Taiwan and look forward to promoting their meaningful participation as an observer in INTERPOL."

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