Interpol Pleads for More Funds to Combat Terror

David Gork, Interpol's director of specialized crime and analysis, appealed to the international community for more funding so the agency can adequately combat nuclear terrorism.^[1] The agency operates on an annual budget of about $70 million and that is not enough money to implement all the necessary programs to battle the various types of terrorism, said Gork.^[2]

''It's ludicrous, but again it comes down to the member countries providing the funding to support us……We are not being given sufficient resources to be able to do it,'' Gork said during a nuclear terrorism conference, although Gork refrained from naming specific countries that needed to pay more, he asserted that Western countries must give the agency more money to increase training programs.^[3] ''That's the only way we are going to stop this. Otherwise, forget it…..We don't have enough participation in some of the countries to do it and I don't mean the countries that require the training. I am talking about the countries that can provide the training,'' he said.^[4]

Gork said Interpol has so far trained 350 people in 130 different countries on aspects of bioterrorism, but more must be done; according to Interpol's Web site, bioterrorism involves the use of biological agents or germs.^[5]Gork made the comments during the five-day Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Law Enforcement Conference, where the world's nuclear powers and other countries have gathered to find ways and exchange practices to prevent nuclear attacks.^[6]

Intelligence, sharing of information between countries and preventative measures such as training law enforcement to interdict the movement of nuclear materials are what can prevent such attacks, Gork said.[7]

The United States gives 13.2 percent of Interpol's budget, which was abut $5.6 million last year, an official at the Department of State said.^[8]Francis Fragos Townsend, assistant to the president on homeland security and counter terrorism, said the threat of nuclear attacks can be countered by international cooperation.^[9] ''The probability that a nuclear attack could occur will never be zero... But through understanding the enemy, fostering the collective strength of the international community and taking concerted action, we will continue to counter this grave threat.'' Townsend said.^[10]

We have previously blogged about the international collaborative effort to combat nuclear terror, here.

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^[1] Lisa Orkin Emmanuel, Interpol official appeals for funding, Associated Press Newswire, available at LEXIS, News Library, Wire News Services.
^[2] Id.
^[3] Id.
^[4] Id.
^[5] Id.
^[6] Id.
^[7] Id.
^[8] Id.
^[9] Id.
^[10] Id.