ID :
84325
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/84325
The shortlink copeid
COUNTRIES NEED TO FIGHT GLOBAL CRIME AND TERRORISM
SINGAPORE, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Countries need to cooperate more closely with one another to effectively tackle transnational crime and terrorism, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Monday.
He said that by sharing intelligence, watching for international fugitives
and conducting joint enforcement actions, global crime and terrorism could be
prevented.
Speaking at the inaugural five-day Iinterpol-United Nations Ministerial
Meeting and the 78th Interpol General Assembly here, Lee said globalisation
which had brought untold benefits to countries worldwide had also globalised
crime.
The same modern-day technologies and techniques which improved people's
lives were as easily applied to more sinister ends, he said, adding that
"jihadist terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime are all
global in scale and transnational in nature."
Lee said criminals now could move around more easily and run transnational
operations, often directing crime from offshore bases, using modern
communications tools to exchange information, coordinate their operations, and
even sharing "best crime practices".
The prime minister said that to deal with these new crimes and more
sophisticated criminals, police authorities worldwide had to be smarter and
better equipped with the latest technologies to always stay one step ahead of
them.
The contest between police and criminals was never-ending, Lee said quoting
a Chinese saying, "when good gains a foot, evil adds a yard" to describe
the interminable situation.
He detailed how jihadist terrorists had evolved their malevolent plans in
response to security action, from driving car bombs into military installations
to attacking soft targets such as hotels, and smuggling and assembling bombs in
hotel rooms.
Lee also said that besides fighting crime, police role in international
peacekeeping was gaining importance as failed states could become breeding
grounds for international terrorism or bases for transnational criminal
organisations.
Hence, the prime minister said, Singapore supported the partnership of the
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO) and Interpol,
which inked their partnership agreement here yesterday, to bring the role of
police peacekeepers to the forefront of the international security agenda.
The number of police officers deployed in peace-keeping operations worldwide
has increased from just over 100 in 1964 to more than 12,000 now.
-- BERNAMA
He said that by sharing intelligence, watching for international fugitives
and conducting joint enforcement actions, global crime and terrorism could be
prevented.
Speaking at the inaugural five-day Iinterpol-United Nations Ministerial
Meeting and the 78th Interpol General Assembly here, Lee said globalisation
which had brought untold benefits to countries worldwide had also globalised
crime.
The same modern-day technologies and techniques which improved people's
lives were as easily applied to more sinister ends, he said, adding that
"jihadist terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime are all
global in scale and transnational in nature."
Lee said criminals now could move around more easily and run transnational
operations, often directing crime from offshore bases, using modern
communications tools to exchange information, coordinate their operations, and
even sharing "best crime practices".
The prime minister said that to deal with these new crimes and more
sophisticated criminals, police authorities worldwide had to be smarter and
better equipped with the latest technologies to always stay one step ahead of
them.
The contest between police and criminals was never-ending, Lee said quoting
a Chinese saying, "when good gains a foot, evil adds a yard" to describe
the interminable situation.
He detailed how jihadist terrorists had evolved their malevolent plans in
response to security action, from driving car bombs into military installations
to attacking soft targets such as hotels, and smuggling and assembling bombs in
hotel rooms.
Lee also said that besides fighting crime, police role in international
peacekeeping was gaining importance as failed states could become breeding
grounds for international terrorism or bases for transnational criminal
organisations.
Hence, the prime minister said, Singapore supported the partnership of the
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO) and Interpol,
which inked their partnership agreement here yesterday, to bring the role of
police peacekeepers to the forefront of the international security agenda.
The number of police officers deployed in peace-keeping operations worldwide
has increased from just over 100 in 1964 to more than 12,000 now.
-- BERNAMA
