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94–689PDF 2015

TO DIRECT THE PRESIDENT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO

OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES; AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES

TO AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF NEPAL FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE ON APRIL 25,

2015

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 1853 and H. Res. 235

MAY 20, 2015

Serial No. 114–47

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/

(II)

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

MATT SALMON, Arizona 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina 

MO BROOKS, Alabama 

PAUL COOK, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

DANIEL DONOVAN, New York 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

KAREN BASS, California 

WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

AMI BERA, California 

ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii 

JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas 

ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania

AMY PORTER, Chief of Staff THOMAS SHEEHY, Staff Director

JASON STEINBAUM, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

MATT SALMON, Arizona Chairman 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina 

MO BROOKS, Alabama 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

AMI BERA, California 

TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii 

ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

GRACE MENG, New York 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H.R. 1853, To direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer 

status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and 

for other purposes ................................................................................................ 2

H. Res. 235, Expressing deepest condolences to and solidarity with the people 

of Nepal following the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015 ................... 7

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 235 offered by the 

Honorable Matt Salmon, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Arizona, and chairman, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific ............... 11

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 

Markup notice .......................................................................................................... 20

Markup minutes ...................................................................................................... 21

Markup summary .................................................................................................... 22

(1)

TO DIRECT THE PRESIDENT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO 

OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION, AND FOR 

OTHER PURPOSES; AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF 

NEPAL FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE ON 

APRIL 25, 2015

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC,

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Washington, DC. 

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:11 p.m., in room 

2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Matt Salmon (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Mr. SALMON. The subcommittee will come to order. We meet 

today pursuant to notice to mark up two bipartisan measures. As 

your offices were notified on Monday, it is the intent of the Chair 

to consider en bloc the following items which were previously provided to members, and are in your folders. The first bill is H.R. 

1853, To direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization. And the second bill is House Resolution 235, Expressing 

the deepest condolences to, and solidarity with, the people of Nepal 

following the recent devastating earthquakes, and Salmon amendment 70 in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 235. Without objection, these items will be considered as read and will be considered 

en bloc. 

[The information referred to follows:]

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Mr. SALMON. I will now recognize members to speak on these 

items, beginning with myself and the ranking member. Today, we 

consider measures H.R. 1853 on ‘‘Taiwan joining Interpol,’’ and H. 

Res. 235 on ‘‘Condolences and support for relief efforts in Nepal 

after their devastating earthquake.’’ For 36 years, the Taiwan Relations Act has helped promote peace and stability in Asia, and facilitated a productive relationship between the United States and Taiwan. In the spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act, I, along with the 

chair and ranking members of both the full Committee on Foreign 

Affairs and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Royce, 

Mr. Engel, and Mr. Sherman, introduced important legislation that 

advocates the U.S. Government’s support of Taiwan’s efforts to obtain observer status in the International Criminal Police Organization, also known as Interpol. 

Interpol was designed to promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities. From 1964 until 

1984, Taiwan enjoyed full membership in Interpol, but was removed when the People’s Republic of China applied for membership. This bill will require the President to develop a strategy to 

obtain observer status for Taiwan in Interpol. Specifically, it requires an official request for observer status for Taiwan, active urging of member states to assist in the effort, as well as a status report to Congress. 

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 combating criminal activity through access to 

Interpol’s global police communications systems. Taiwan currently 

relies on the United States and other countries’ second-hand information, and it is unable to share information on criminals to member countries, generating inefficiencies in addressing criminal activity throughout the region. 


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With the rise in terrorism across the globe, not allowing Taiwan 

independent and easy access to Interpol is an unnecessary and a 

very dangerous risk. It is with this knowledge of the potential contributions Taiwan could provide that I wholeheartedly support H.R. 

1853, which closely reflects Congress’s support for Taiwan. I also 

want to thank Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel for helping us move this bill swiftly through the full committee process. 

And we look forward to the full committee markup tomorrow on 

this bill. 

Next, I would like to express my support for H. Res. 235, which 

raises awareness on the ongoing efforts by our government and 

other international actors to respond to the crisis in Nepal. It further encourages rescue efforts to focus on vulnerable populations, 

such as women and children. The resolution has garnered over 110 

bipartisan cosponsors. I have an amendment in the nature of a 

substitute that updates numbers on our aid efforts, that draws attention to the sacrifices of our Marines, and that focuses on the 

specific threats to women and children. 

On April 25, 2015, Nepal was hit with a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake northwest of the capital, Katmandu. The earthquake claimed the lives of over 8,000 people, with thousands more 

reported injured, critical infrastructure damaged, including roads, 

hospitals, and homes. The United Nations estimated upwards of 8 

million people were impacted by this earthquake, with 1.4 million 

people in need of immediate food assistance. After a quick response, led on the U.S. front by USAID, with the Departments of 

State and Defense, search and rescue operations had neared conclusion, the rise in casualties began to slow, and international humanitarian relief began to clear the road to recovery. 

Then on May 12, Nepal was struck again, with a 7.3 magnitude 

earthquake near the capital, this time to the east. This second 

earthquake claimed more lives and disrupted relief efforts. It was 

after this second event that we learned of one of our military helicopters going down in Nepal. We were saddened to hear the subsequent confirmation that we lost all six, all six Marines aboard and 

the two Nepali soldiers traveling with them. It would be impossible 

for the subcommittee to properly thank these fine men and women 

for their great service. The sacrifice they made is far too great, and 

words are far too inadequate. We take solace in the fact that they 

served our Nation by doing something truly American, helping pick 

up our friends when they have fallen. In fact, Arizona, we lost one 

of our own, one of our brightest and best in our efforts in delivering 

aid to Nepal, Lance Corporal Jacob A. Hug. Coincidentally, he has 

the same name as my 34-year-old son, and I spoke to his father 

yesterday for about 20 minutes on the phone. It was a very heartfelt exchange. And I want you to know that this family, they don’t 

harbor any bitterness. They are so very proud of their son. They 

are proud of the life that he gave in the service of his fellow beings. 

And I am proud of him too, and I am proud of all of them. 

This resolution expresses Congress’s deepest condolences for all 

individuals affected by this tragic natural calamity. Yet the resolution also recognizes how, in the midst of this chaos, our government, especially USAID, the State Department, and the DepartVerDate 0ct 09 2002 17:12 Jul 09, 2015 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\_AP\052015M\94689 SHIRL
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ment of Defense have stepped up to provide unparalleled support. 

And I couldn’t be prouder of them. 

We also commend the global NGO community for their ongoing 

humanitarian response, and their selfless efforts and sacrifices. It 

is going to be a long road to recovery for Nepal, and it will be essential that the international community, both governments and 

NGOs, work closely with the Nepalese people to rebuild. I urge the 

committee’s support for these two measures, and I now recognize 

the ranking member for his comments on today’s measures. 

Mr. SHERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this markup, these 

two bills, and the subsequent hearing. The White House has scheduled and invited me to a meeting on Iran. And if this chair is absent for a while, it is not for any frivolous decision. Both of these 

bills are important. As to the Taiwan Interpol bill, I am pleased to 

be the chief Democrat on the bill or lead Democratic sponsor, and 

whatever the proper title would be. I strongly support the bill, of 

course. Taiwan functions as an independent country, and needs to 

function as an independent country inside international organizations. To date, Taiwan has been admitted to only one international 

organization, the World Health Organization, under the title observer status. This fiction that Taiwan is part of China complicates 

so many international affairs, but we cannot allow it to prevent effective law enforcement against criminal gangs and international 

criminal organizations. 

As things stand now, Taiwan gets some information from the 

International Police Organization, Interpol, but it is not consistent, 

it is not reliable. Taiwan doesn’t have real-time access to Interpol’s 

networks and systems. And this hurts not only the people of Taiwan, but people all over the world that are potentially the victims 

of criminals who cannot be apprehended because we don’t have an 

efficient sharing of information and efficient multinational law enforcement. It is for this reason I support the bill, which will direct 

the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for 

Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and I 

look forward to this bill sailing through Congress, and hopefully 

being executed robustly by the administration. 

As to the people of Nepal, I represent Northridge. And we know 

the calamity that an earthquake can cause. I am pleased to be the 

Democratic lead sponsor on this piece of legislation. As you pointed 

out, 8,000 and more have been killed, 1⁄2 million homes destroyed 

or badly damaged, 2 million people displaced. This has been a terrible disaster, not only the first earthquake, but the aftershocks, including the major aftershock which the chairman briefed us about. 

I look forward, between now and when we go to full committee, 

to amending this resolution to first take note of the Americans who 

have sought to provide assistance. We have the two special task 

forces that were deployed to Nepal; one from Fairfax, Virginia, the 

other from Los Angeles, California. I know Gerry Connolly wants 

to make sure that this resolution recognizes them. And, of course, 

you noted the Arizona hero that lost his life trying to help the people of Nepal. 

In addition, Mike Honda suggested to me that we, in the resolving clauses in this resolution, focus on the importance of preventing 

violence against women. And I look forward to working with you 

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on language to focus on that as well. I look forward to the international community sustaining its effort to help the people of 

Nepal. I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for working with me on both 

resolutions, and look forward to them going through the full committee and the floor of the House. And I am torn, but I do think 

I have to go to the White House pretty soon. 

Mr. SALMON. I thank the ranking member. And I know that it 

is the lot of those of us that work in Foreign Affairs that juggling 

multiple balls at the same time has become an art form that we 

have to all master. And before I yield to any other members that 

would like to make opening statements, one thing I did want to 

say, especially in terms of our Marines that lost their lives, one of 

the Scriptures that has given me a lot of comfort through the 

course of my life, and one that I just think is so poignant to this 

time is this: ‘‘Greater love hath no person than this that he would 

give his life for another.’’ And I take great comfort in that. It is the 

greatest act that any human being can do, and that is to give their 

life for somebody else. And that is what these brave soldiers have 

done. Any folks on the Republican side? Mr. Chabot, would you like 

to open? 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you. I will be brief, Mr. Chairman. I want 

to express my support for both pieces of legislation under consideration here this afternoon, H. Res. 235 and H.R. 1853, as you indicated. I am a cosponsor of H. Res. 235 because it is critical that 

we support the United States humanitarian response efforts to the 

devastating earthquake that hit Nepal last month. Our relationship with Nepal is strategically important, among other things, because of its key location between India and China, of course. But 

on a humanitarian level, we certainly need to reach out. As you indicated, our men and women in uniform and otherwise are doing 

that. And some, unfortunately, have made the ultimate sacrifice. In 

the days and weeks and months ahead, the challenges and needs 

will only grow more serious for the people of Nepal. It is important 

that they know we stand by their side. 

I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 1853, and support efforts to help 

Taiwan gain observer status in the International Criminal Police 

Organization. I happen to be, along with my colleague to my left, 

Mr. Rohrabacher, two of the lead original founding Members of the 

Congressional Taiwan Caucus, along with Sherrod Brown and Robert Wexler, when he was a Member. 

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Are we the only ones left? 

Mr. CHABOT. We are. At least in this august body. And at the 

end of the day, allowing Taiwan to participate in Interpol is beneficial for all of us. As the world has become more interconnected, 

the sharing of information has increased exponentially, which, in 

general, is a good thing. But it has also resulted in the expansion 

of terrorist networks and criminal activities on the Internet as 

well. 

For that reason, allowing Taiwan to have observer status in this 

organization will foster greater security, safety, and peace across 

the region and around the globe by giving it real-time information 

on criminal and global criminal activities that happen to cross Taiwan’s borders. Readily having this access will allow Taiwan to 

serve as a responsible member of the international community. 

18

As we have seen with Taiwan’s participation in the World Health 

Assembly and International Civil Aviation Organization, Taiwan’s 

participation in this institution is no different. It will only continue 

to promote global safety and security that benefits everyone. I also 

agree—I would like to say I agree with what Mr. Sherman said before because I don’t say that all the time, but I definitely agree 

when he said that this idea that Taiwan is really not a country is 

just fiction. It is a country, and ultimately, I believe will be independent from China. It is probably not going to happen next week 

or next month or next year, but this fiction that it is a separate 

country is something that at some point needs to be put to rest. 

I say that as a former founding member of the Taiwan Caucus 

and a present member of the Taiwan Caucus. I see my colleague 

from Virginia kind of cringed there because he knows we are probably stepping on some toes in Beijing, but to hell with Beijing. I 

yield back the balance of my time. 

Mr. SALMON. Any other member seek recognition to speak on 

these items? 

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman? 

Mr. SALMON. Yes. 

Mr. CONNOLLY. I always have respect for my friend from Ohio 

and his insights, but I would say as cochairman of the Taiwan Caucus, I think we need to work to enhance both Taiwan’s defense and 

to support Taiwan in the path it has chosen as a democracy. My 

first visit to Taiwan, Taiwan frankly was not a democracy, and it 

has come a long, long way. And there are cultural ties that both 

unite and separate the mainland and Taiwan. And I would just 

caution, however, that there are things that can provoke and that 

make the task of reconciliation and support for Taiwan’s unique 

path more difficult. And that would be the only reason I cringed 

a little bit, and my friend saw it, because words we say here are 

magnified in the Taiwan Straits. And we obviously want to be supportive, and not unwittingly do anything that could be, as I said, 

provocative. Thank you. 

Mr. SALMON. Thank you. Any other member seek recognition on 

either of these two measures? If not, we will get to business. Hearing no other requests for recognition, the question occurs on adopting the items under consideration en bloc. All those in favor, say 

aye. Opposed, say no. In the opinion of the Vhair, the ayes have 

it, and the en bloc items are approved. 

Without objection, H.R. 1853 and H. Res. 235, as amended, will 

be reported favorably to the full committee. And the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming changes. I would like 

to thank all of our members and staff for the assistance and cooperation that went into today’s markup. The subcommittee stands 

adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 2:30 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.] 

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