Oct. 7, 2007
The Man From Interpol
Ron Noble Tells Steve Kroft Agency Is Under-Funded
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The Man From Interpol
Interpol, the international law enforcement agency, is often overlooked and underutilized in the war on terrorism despite having valuable resources, says its secretary general, Ron Noble. Steve Kroft reports.
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Ron Noble, secretary general of Interpol (CBS)
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Asked why he thinks that is, Noble tells Kroft, "You know, I ask myself that question. I just feel like they don't get it. They don't get it."
Reporting or providing data to Interpol is voluntary, and many nations don't want to share sensitive information with the agency because they believe it could end up in the hands of other member countries, like Iran, Libya and Cuba.
"There is a perception out there among police organizations, they don't want to provide sensitive information to Interpol. Because they're afraid of who might end up having access to it," Kroft remarks.
"I agree. I'm not disputing that there's a perception out there," Noble says. "There are ways to share information without undermining the security of the information."
Security isn't the only reason that countries don't cooperate with Interpol. Sometimes they're just embarrassed. Last year, when 23 people escaped from a prison in Yemen, including the mastermind of the al Qaeda attack on the U.S.S. Cole, Interpol found out about it by monitoring Arab television.
"Worldwide in the last two years, we've had 43 countries where escapes have occurred. And zero of those countries -- zero of those countries notified Interpol. That can't happen. That shouldn't happen. People wouldn't believe it's happening, but it's happening," Noble says.
Not only is Interpol underutilized, Noble says it is also hopelessly under-funded. The U.S. contributes $5.5 million to the organization's $50 million budget, a pittance compared to big city police departments.
"NYPD, $3 billion a year. FBI, $6 billion a year. DHS, $42 billion a year. Interpol is about $50 million," Noble points out. "About the same amount that the Los Angeles Galaxy is paying for David Beckham to play football. That's what the world is contributing to Interpol to keep the citizens of the world safer that they otherwise would be."
Noble is not looking for a few million dollars, he's looking for a different mindset. "I've been doing this now for six and a half years. You know, I get up every day, you know? And I think about 'How can I make the U.S. understand this?' And I just can't. I can't. I can't," he says.
"And we know that terrorist activities are being planned," Noble says, wiping a tear. "And we know that if we don't respond, people will die. And I know I'm a smart guy. I know I work hard and I know I can persuade people to do things. I know. But I can't get the U.S. and other governments to understand that the problem's a billion-dollar-a-year problem. You know, not a million-dollar-a-year problem. But I know that it's gonna change. It's gonna happen one day."
"This concerns you," Kroft says.
"We, yeah, we could we stop," Noble says,
We gave him a few moments to compose himself.
"What was it that triggered that?" Kroft asks about Noble getting emotional.
"I keep thinking about September 11th and all the other terrorist attacks. And I’m saying I’m seeing the mistakes that are being made every day. And I think about one of these days its going to happen again," he says. "And I've gotta be able to persuade people before it happens."
"You're obviously very wrapped up in this," Kroft remarks.
"Yeah," Noble agrees.
Noble acknowledged that he may be working too hard and traveling too much. He also has some health issues that have added to the stress. Last year in a confidential letter to member nations, Noble informed them that he had developed "a benign tumor" near his brain, which has caused some hearing problems.
"I realize I'm mortal and I'm not invincible. And I feel an urgency to communicate what I wanna communicate," Noble says. "My neck is out there with this interview. And after this interview I'll go back to working like I do every other day. But I'll know that there's nothing that I held back."
Because of his frustration, Noble wants to raise $100 million by asking billionaires and drug and automobile companies for financial support.
The Department of Homeland Security wrote Interpol this week and said that they're looking into sending an officer to Lyon by the end of the year.
Produced By Ira Rosen
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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See all 107 CommentsWell, the law of giving Zakat is to give it to the leader of Islamic people. So, between God and the FBI who can''t seem to recognise a controlled demolition and magic cartoon planes....
It''s a tough choice. Ron looks like a nice guy, but I don''t think I want to burn for eternity for his incompetance!
Whatever happened to the promise of "info-sharing" between agencies? I even question whether the agencies WITHIN the US even started communicating; so it really is not suprising that they wouldn''t communicate with Interpol. Private-sector funding should be solicited.
Robertoi Rodriguez, Laredo Texas
I am terribly afraid for my country when I find out that the basic things, which I believe are being taken care of, are not important and the people in our government are not smart enough to take care of business. This has nothing to do with politics...or at least it shouldn''t
Let us know, the people who pay the taxes, that our government who so freely feels that they can chooses where they want our money it to go. The American public needs to start demanding what and where our money goes! We need to start making our Government realize how we feel and where we feel what needs to be protected.
We are no better off today than we were on September 11!
Who doesn''t hate that our children are getting killed for a war that some of our politicians believe we should be in. Yes, they convince the young and others that we need to fight the war on there land, what a joke! We need to fight the terrorist the way they are fight with us. Smarten up American and listen to what really needs to done.
+ that is NOT answerable to elected representatives?
that is NOT restricted by the CONTROLS set forth in the US Constitution?
I can''t think of a faster path to totalitarianism that this?
Don''t buy the emotional of a good television act, and THINK thru the consequences of this proposal, for it is NOT in your best interests.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071007/ts_nm/britain_iraq_afghanistan_dc
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071007/ts_nm/britain_iraq_afghanistan_dc
A report by the Oxford Research Group (ORG) said a "fundamental re-think is required" if the global terrorist network is to be rendered ineffective.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071007/ts_nm/britain_iraq_afghanistan_dc
means only one thing to me, he is the perfect man for the job. He has dedicated his life to making the world
a safer place for all. For that he deserves far more appreciation than I could ever express to him.
This is not a police force as much as an identification source which identifies and then REFERS to the proper country officials. We will not be in danger of Scotland Yard coming to our home.
What we would gain is "an eye in the sky" both globally and nationally as to what is going on.
Gene Coughlin.
Posted by glaswolf at 10:09 PM : Oct 07, 2007
+ report ab
This is the kind of arrogance and thinking that is going to get us all killed. We need the entire world in this fight and we need a leader who can bring that world together in that effort. Al Qaeda has completely rebuilt it''s organization using the policies of the idiot we allowed to take office last election. They are recruiting people all across the world using the fact that the vast majority of the world conciders that same leader to be a Southern Fascist. The World wide hatred for Bush and the Present leadership in this country is beyond anything we have ever seen. No longer can our leader go to another nation and be met by friendly crowds, now he must be protected by DIVISIONS of Military. That says MORE than anyone or anything ever could. Sieg Heil Bush!!
I can''''t think of a faster path to totalitarianism that this?
Don''''t buy the emotional of a good television act, and THINK thru the consequences of this proposal, for it is NOT in your best interests.
Posted by mysdod at 08:49 PM : Oct 07, 2007
+ report abuse
IF we can not and do not cooperate with the security forces of other nations, especially nations that was once our friends, we have NO chance of defeating these folks. There is ONE fact that you fascist seem to ignore.... Al Qaeda has COMPLETELY rebuilt and is RECRUITING in other nations using the world wide hatred for George Bush. Without co operation with the security forces of our FORMER friends what chance do we have? Sieg Heil Bush
Mr. NOBLE actually was crying on the %u2018CBS 60 minutes%u2019 TV show. Because, the Homeland Security don%u2019t give him the necessary funds and equipment to fight terrorism and crime. THIS IS SCANDALOUS!!! Please, please tell Mr. Noble that all the technology and funds he needs to stop terrorism and crime, are available at www.motionmetrics.org
Dr. Edward Romanoff
Preventive Science Institute (PSI)
info@motionmetrics.org
(559) 273-6949
1) Did you know that Interpol is a PRIVATE organization?
http://www.trivia-library.com/a/what-is-interpol.htm
2) This brief ZDNet article refers to SEVERAL scandals of false and defamatory information being placed at Interpol by Interested Parties. Do you want to take the risk of someone using Interpol to harm you?
http://tinyurl.com/29ydeq
3) Wikipedia claims that Interpol (formerly ICPC) fell under the control of the Nazis. Are you sure you want to support an organization that might be taken over by a rogue government or other private power?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol
"Interpol was founded in Austria in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC), with headquarters located in Vienna until 1942. Following the Anschluss (Austria''s annexation by Nazi Germany) in 1938, the organization fell under the control of Nazi Germany and the Commission''s headquarters were eventually moved to Berlin in 1942. It is unclear, however, if and to what extent the ICPC files were used to further the goals of the Nazi regime."
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