Still no fingerprints, Interpol complains
IHT:
If this were a one-time problem, it might not be such a big deal. But the failure to quickly share information about terrorists with global law enforcement is systemic and is likely to continue until legislators, governments and the United Nations are convinced to change things. Interpol believes that persuasive evidence to force such action already exists.
Let’s start with the most recent prior example. Last month, seven alleged terrorists suspected of having links to Al Qaeda escaped from a prison in Saudi Arabia, yet Saudi officials never got the word out to global authorities. A worldwide alert for their apprehension could have been put out immediately through Interpol’s secure global communication system.
Instead, we learned of the escape through the news media days after it occurred, and had to contact Saudi Arabia seeking the names, photos and fingerprints of the escapees. Consequently, the suspects got an unacceptable head start, have not been reported caught by the Saudis, and could now be just about anywhere in the world plotting deadly attacks.
Similarly, in February, 23 convicted prisoners (including 13 Qaeda terrorists) escaped from a prison in Yemen. Once again the international police community had to learn about the prison break through open sources. Days elapsed before we received the names and photographs of the escapees, and we still don’t have any fingerprints.
Ronald K. Noble is the secretary general of Interpol.
