INTERPOL announces that it is requesting bids from equipment and service suppliers to connect member countries and other sites in Africa and the Caribbean in order to complete the establishment of its global communication system called I-24/7.

I-24/7 currently operates in nearly 90 countries and other sites around the globe, and it provides instantaneous communication tools and access to crucial police data for national police agencies over a secure, virtual private network.

This unique new police tool is revolutionizing the way police communicate across international boundaries and holds the potential to address effectively the crimes of terrorism, drug trafficking, child pornography, human being trafficking and other forms of international organized crime.

'Every nation whether large or small, rich or poor must be given the tools to address international organized crime and I-24/7 is such a critical tool,' said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.

'The world is safer from terrorists and international organized criminals, if all countries have access to state of the art police communication tools' he added.

The call for tender lists 59 countries and territories and two INTERPOL regional sites which will require communication and computer equipment, as well as network access. Bids are requested for East, Central and Southern Africa, West Africa and the Caribbean and are to be received by December 30, 2003.

Questions and bids can be directed to the INTERPOL General Secretariat at the following addresses : i247-afca@INTERPOL.int (bids) or projectteam247@INTERPOL.int (enquiries).