Selebi tells of Interpol plans

2004-10-12 18:46

Pretoria - Interpol resources will be moved to where they are needed, says police commissioner Jackie Selebi, the newly appointed president of the international policing organisation.

He said his priority would be to redirect resources to weaker countries.

"The pace of a column on the march is determined by the weakest and slowest, not by the strongest and fastest.

"Clearly, Africa is not seen as the strongest and fastest," he said at Pretoria police headquarters.

Selebi said the transfer of resources would include the establishment of a centre in Africa to pool information on international terrorism.

"It will act as an early-warning device," he said.

He said police had to deal with a "massive phenomenon" that faced "the whole of mankind".

Selebi, Interpol's vice-president since 2002, is its first African president.

Won with a two-thirds majority

"I am committed as ever to reducing the levels of crime in South Africa and to playing a role in the combating of transnational crimes in the southern African region.

"I can also now play a pivotal role in countering international crime and terrorism together with all members of Interpol," he said describing his role as head of the 182-member organisation.

Winning the presidency with a two-thirds majority of 96 votes in Cancun, Mexico, last Friday, the commissioner said he would use Interpol's resources to link all Africa's member states to Interpol's internal communication system.

Already, the European Union has pledged €2.5m (about R20.3m) to the cause.

This will go towards establishing premises, network facilities and equipment, said Selebi, adding that only four countries in Africa had the means to connect to the communication system.

This, he promised, would be done within six months.

Selebi, saying his new position would give the SA Police Service more clout, also said the removal of illicit firearms would be a priority.

Increasing international co-operation

Such firearms plagued not only South Africa, but also other countries.

"While we talk of weapons of mass destruction there is somebody in Soweto who has a problem with small weapons.

There are also people in the Caribbean and London with similar problems," he said.

Selebi said his new role would provide the SA police with the opportunity to increase international co-operation not only with Africa, but with the rest of the world.

He noted that already the SA police were training police from Oman, United Arab Emirates and from 10 African countries.

- SAPA