INTERPOL TO CREATE BIOTERROR CENTER

LONDON [MENL] -- Interpol has decided to create a global information center to combat the threat of bioterrorism.

The center was envisioned to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement and the scientific community in detecting and responding to the threat of biological weapons, particularly in insurgency attacks.

"We must build bridges with the life science community and the scientific community and prevent bioterrorism through sustained communication with international law enforcement to mitigate the risks we are facing," Interpol president Jackie Selebi said. "Interpol and police services around the world must be part of a broader integrated response to combat the threat of biological weapons."

The decision to establish the center was announced at a conference by Interpol in Lyon, France that ended on March 2. The threat of bioterrorism was discussed for two days by more than 500 security experts, officials and scientists from 155 out of 182 member countries. The conference was regarded as the largest in Interpol's history.