INTERPOL IS A NETWORK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN 127 COUNTRIES WHICH FACILITATES, COORDINATES, AND ENCOURAGES INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION. SENSITIVE TO NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY THE ORGANIZATION'S CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS IT FROM ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITIES OF A POLITICAL, MILITARY, RELIGIOUS, OR RACIAL NATURE. NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAUS (NCB'S) EXIST IN MEMBER COUNTRIES, WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT, LOCATED IN PARIS. A GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETS ANNUALLY TO ADOPT THE BUDGET AND TO MAKE MAJOR POLICY DECISIONS. THE SECRETARY GENERAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT, WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STAFF OF 20. NCB'S COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT CRIMINAL CASES, WITH INTERNATIONAL RAMIFICATIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND PASS IT ON TO OTHER NCBS. THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCESSING AND CIRCULATING INFORMATION AND MAINTAINING CRIMINAL RECORDS WHICH INCLUDE NOMINAL, DIGITAL AND PHOTO INDEXES. IT HAS IMPLEMENTED A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, A REASONABLY UNIFORM PREEXTRADITION PROCEDURE, AND A LIAISON OFFICER SYSTEM FOR CLOSER WORK IN INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL CASES. IN ADDITION, INTERPOL ACTS AS A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION IN TECHNICAL, LEGAL, AND THEORETICAL FIELDS, HOLDING SYMPOSIA AND PROVIDING BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR POLICE FORCES, RESEARCHERS, AND INSTITUTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION PREPARES REPORTS ON TECHNICAL AND LEGAL SUBJECTS AND COMPILES REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND SUMMARIES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO NCB'S. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE 'INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE REVIEW' AND A SERIES ON 'INTERNATIONAL CRIME STATISTICS.' NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.