INTERPOL, WITH HEADQUARTERS GENERAL SECRETARIAT BUILDING IN PARIS, HAS 126 MEMBER COUNTRIES. THE AIMS OF INTERPOL ARE (1) TO ENSURE AND PROMOTE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN ALL CRIMINAL POLICE AUTHORITIES WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE LAWS OF EACH PARTICIPATING COUNTRY AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND (2) TO ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP ALL INSTITUTIONS LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF ORDINARY LAW CRIMES. IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR INTERPOL TO ENGAGE IN ANY INTERVENTION OR ACTIVITIES OF A POLITICAL, MILITARY, RELIGIOUS, OR RACIAL CHARACTER. THE ORGANIZATION IS ADMINISTERED BY (1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH REPRESENT MEMBER COUNTRIES; AND (2) THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT AND THE NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAUS, PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS WHICH IMPLEMENT THE DECISIONS OF THE TWO REPRESENTATIVE ADMINSTRATIVE BODIES. THE IRISH NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAU RECEIVES APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FROM SOURCES WITHIN THE COUNTRY, WHICH IS THEN PASSED ON TO OTHER NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAUS AND THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT. POLICE OPERATIONS REQUESTED BY OTHER COUNTRIES ARE PASSED THROUGH THE IRISH NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAU FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION WITHIN IRELAND. THE BUREAU WORKS IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES LIKELY TO DEAL WITH CRIME HAVING INTERNATIONAL RAMIFICATIONS. THE EASE OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION MAKES IT IMPERATIVE THAT NATIONS STRENGTHEN THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR PREVENTING AND COUNTERING CRIME THAT IS INCREASINGLY INTERNATIONAL. (RCB)