Interpol needs money to fight against nuclear terror

Interpol appealed to the international community for more funding to adequately combat nuclear terrorism.

Photo: Interpol needs money to fight against nuclear terror

The international crime-fighting agency operates on an annual budget of about $70 million (52.6 million EUR), not enough money to implement all the necessary programs to battle terrorism, said David Gork, Interpol's director of specialized crime and analysis.

"It's ludicrous, but again it comes down to the member countries providing the funding to support us," Gork said during a nuclear terrorism conference. "We are not being given sufficient resources to be able to do it."

Gork did not name specific countries that needed to pay more, but called on the West to increase funding for training programs.

"That's the only way we are going to stop this. Otherwise, forget it," Gork said.

Gork said Interpol has so far trained 350 people in 130 different countries on aspects of bioterrorism, but more must be done.

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 and radiological attacks.

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

"That's just a start. We can't stop here. If we stop and sit back on our laurels and think this is the end of it, we're in for a world of hurt in the future," Gork said.