FLASH and DLL files

Hello,
I am new.
Just wondering if anybody know if either Flash 8 or Flash CS3,
can call a Win32 DLL done in C/C++ or can call a COM based:
ACTIVEX DLL from VB6?

Also if the difference in access is whether it is Actionscript 2.0 OR Actionscript 3.0 that can call a DLL?

I have been looking all over the internet with vague references that it can be done.

Please somebody help.

Paulgo