31 January 2002

Fact Sheet: New U.S.-Russia Treaty Will Help Fight Crime, Terrorism

On January 31, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Ambassador to the United States Yuriy Ushakov signed a Protocol of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification to bring into force a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) that provides "a common legal basis for cooperation in identifying and seizing or freezing criminal or terrorist assets."

Following is a fact sheet on the treaty:

MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA

• On January 31, 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Ambassador to the United States Yuriy Ushakov signed a Protocol of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification to bring into force a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the United States and Russia. Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Kasyanov presided at this important advance in joint efforts to fight crime and terrorism.

• The U.S.-Russia Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty -- to which the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent in December 2001 -- replaces the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (signed in 1995) and marks a significant step forward in our law enforcement cooperation with the Russia. It is an important new tool to pursue and prosecute offenses such as transnational organized crime, global terrorism, trafficking in persons, computer crime and money laundering.

• Under this treaty, we now have a common legal basis for cooperation in identifying and seizing or freezing criminal or terrorist assets.

• Following the signing, Secretary Powell said, "This Treaty shows the world how Russia and the United States are working together every single day to go after our enemies."