BUJUMBURA – Interpol has offered to provide security support during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled in Ugandan capital Kampala next month.

The organisation has also said that it will participate in maintaining security during the 2010 soccer world cup in South Africa.

This was disclosed by the organisation’s Secretary General of Interpol Ronald K. Noble on Thursday at a regional police meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi.

"We are helping African countries to prepare for the forthcoming major events like the CHOGM in Uganda and World Cup in South Africa. We are prepared to provide security assistance,” he said.

There are some security concerns during the two international functions.Noble was addressing senior security leaders at Eastern African Police Chiefs Council (EAPCCO).

He said Interpol the two functions were a priority to international police.

Uganda will in November host the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government He added:  "We are offering support to Uganda police force with expertise for doing security analysis, sight inspections and counter terrorism prevention.”

Other issues discussed at the meeting, which was due to end yesterday, included improving working cooperation between police chiefs with the priority being fight against cocaine trafficking in the region and increasing training opportunities to police forces.

Noble said all Interpol member states are all connected to one database system that helps trace criminals and helps police forces arrest fugitives around the world.

He said that for the first time in history, Africa has one of the most advanced communication systems.

Field Police Officers will be accessing Interpol databases for border control and international investigations, he said.Ends