    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 13, 2001]
    [Pages 1403-1404]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Cooperation
    in Combating Illegal Narcotics Trafficking
    November 13, 2001

        We note that illegal narcotics trafficking constitutes a serious
    threat to the health and well-being of individuals and to international
    security as a whole. The drug trade is one of the principle sources of
    financial support for international terrorism.
        The United States and Russia are committed to intensifying
    cooperation on both a bilateral level and within the framework of
    international organizations and institutions, in order to combat this
    common threat.
        We reaffirm the important role of the UN in strengthening anti-drug
    cooperation at the global level and reaffirm the two countries'
    intention to continue the efforts to implement the decisions of the 20th
    Special Session of the UN General Assembly on the problem of narcotics.
    At the same time, we wish to continue and expand our regional
    counternarcotics cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.
        We wish to underscore the importance of putting into effect, as soon
    as possible, the mechanism of the UN Convention against Transnational
    Organized Crime.
        We intend to intensify the efforts of the Russian-U.S. Working Group
    on law enforcement, including the issues of combating illegal drug
    trafficking and the laundering of proceeds derived from criminal
    activities. We believe that early entry into the force of the Treaty
    Between the Russian Federation and the United States on Mutual Legal
    Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Moscow on June 17, 1999, will
    promote the expansion of bilateral cooperation and the coordination of
    efforts against transnational organized crime and narcotics trafficking.

    [[Page 1404]]

        We agree to seek areas of expanded cooperation between the United
    States and Russia with the goal of more effectively stopping illegal
    trafficking in narcotics and preventing and treating drug addiction.

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