London, Nov. 14 (CNA) The United Kingdom government has informed a pro-Taiwan Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) it is discussing with partner nations Taiwan's bid to attend the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) General Assembly as an observer.
British MP Philip Hollobone asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on Nov. 6, whether the government will support the granting of observer status to Taiwan at the 87th Interpol General Assembly in Dubai from Nov. 18-21.
In a written reply released on Nov. 12, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service Nick Hurd described Interpol as "an international police organisation which has a crucial role in ensuring co-operation on matters of international criminality."
"The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as organised crime," he said.
Although the U.K. has not made any representations to secure Taiwan's observer status at Interpol this year, Hurd said "government officials are discussing this issue with international partners."
Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) Commissioner Tsai Tsan-po (蔡蒼柏) sent a letter to Interpol in September requesting that the CIB be allowed to attend as an observer the upcoming Interpol General Assembly and play a role in its activities.
However, on Oct. 18, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Interpol officially had rejected the request, citing a 1984 resolution recognizing the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole representative of China at Interpol.
The Republic of China (ROC) used to be an Interpol member country, but after China was admitted in 1984 and the ROC was to be forced to change its name to "China, Taiwan," Taipei decided to withdraw from the organization.
On Wednesday Taiwan's Representative to the U.K. David Lin expressed thanks to the British government for its friendship and assistance in promoting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.
Pro-Taiwan British parliamentarians have been supportive of Taiwan's international bids. On Nov. 2, British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group co-chairs MP Nigel Evans and Lord Rogan, who is deputy speaker in the House of Lords, called for Interpol to invite Taiwan to the upcoming Interpol General Assembly in Dubai as an observer.
