Speaking on his return, Mr Tsang briefly summarised various aspects of the trip which had included visits to Holland, Austria and Hungary.

Mr Tsang said that their European visit had commenced in Amsterdam, where discussions were held with Dutch police regarding organised crime, the smuggling of human cargo, money laundering and drug trafficking.

"We then arrived in Salzburg where we met with Austrian police who had successfully dealt with a large-scale anti-globalisation demonstration during an international forum held there earlier this year," said Mr Tsang.

The delegation then travelled to Vienna where they met high-ranking officers to discuss various topics including organised crime and smuggling human cargo. From there they proceeded to Budapest, Hungary, to attend the 70th General Assembly Session from September 24 to 28.

Some 173 member countries were represented at the session. Mr Tsang, Director of Crime and Security Lau Chun-sing and Senior Superintendent of the Liaison Bureau Ma Wai-luk formed part of the People's Republic of China delegation.

The Session commenced at 10 am on September 24 at the Budapest Congress Centre where a minute's silence was observed in memory of the deaths that occurred as a result of the incidents that occurred in the United States on September 11.

Anti-terrorism was considered a priority item and occupied the entire programme for the first two days. Discussions centred around how international police efforts could address terrorism on the scale that had occurred in New York City on September 11. It was noted that such acts of terrorism constitute a crime against humanity and that the responsibility for preventing and investigating such activities rested with law enforcement agencies.

All member states agreed that terrorism should be condemned and that plans for future international police co-operation should fall within the following spheres of activity:

* Strengthen the exchange of information and intelligence;

* Strengthen the notification systems between police forces should any terrorism-related incidents occur; and

* Strengthen bilateral and multilateral efforts in pursuing terrorism investigations.

"Interpol Headquarters have set up a 24-hour coordination centre and action task force to collate information received from member countries."

"Top priority will be given to people wanted in connection with terrorist activities. A computer system will be established to collect information on forgery, counterfeiting, forged identities and other crimes relating to terrorism," said Mr Tsang.

The five-day programme also addressed the following items:

* Anti-terrorism

* Organised crime and drugs

* Counterfeiting

* Human trafficking

* Cyber crime

* Vehicle crime

* Fugitive apprehension

* Disaster victim identification

It was also acknowledged that the scope and dimension of transnational organised crime has brought with it many new challenges for law enforcement agencies around the world.

These problems have become global in dimension and have presented different challenges that require the wider involvement of law enforcement as a whole, and a willingness of all to formulate long lasting solutions at a strategic level.

During the Session, the Force's secondee to the General Secretariat ICPO-Interpol in Lyon, France, Superintendent Steven Lo was among the many senior executives who was formally introduced to participating delegates.