    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 28, 1994]
    [Pages 1653-1654]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on Cooperation in Promoting the Rule of Law and
    Combating Crime
    September 28, 1994

        President Boris Yeltsin and President William Clinton, during their
    meeting in Washington on September 27 and 28, 1994, noted the threat
    which crime poses to the Russian and American societies and to the
    entire international community. Of particular concern to the Presidents
    was the rise in financial crime, nuclear materials smuggling, organized
    crime, and drug trafficking. They agreed that bilateral and
    international cooperative efforts would be necessary to combat this
    growing threat.

    [[Page 1654]]

        The Presidents noted that cooperation in law enforcement between
    their two countries could in a substantial way help to resolve the
    problem of crime and should be institutionalized through bilateral
    agreements. To this end, delegations from the United States and the
    Russian Federation held a first round of negotiations for an Agreement
    on Cooperation in Criminal Matters which commits each country to assist
    the other in criminal investigations and crime prevention. The
    Presidents expressed their intention to sign and bring into force as
    quickly as possible this Agreement. The Presidents also announced their
    intention to enter into negotiations for a broader Mutual Legal
    Assistance Treaty.
        President Clinton announced the intention of the United States to
    offer an expanded program of assistance to the Russian Federation,
    including technical assistance and training of personnel to support
    cooperation between the Russian Federation and the United States in
    promoting the rule of law and combating crime.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this statement.