DATE=11/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ROMANIA / INTELLIGENCE CENTER (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256247
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: An international team of intelligence, customs
and police experts has opened a regional center in
Bucharest for combating organized crime throughout
Eastern Europe. The United States is lending major
support to the anti-crime effort. Stefan Bos reports
from Budapest, the new agency's headquarters is in the
huge building that once the palace of Romania's former
Communist dictator.
TEXT: The gigantic marble palace of former dictator
Nicolae Ceausescu will house the American-backed
"Regional Center for Combating Trans-Border Crime."
Romanian officials say the new agency, a project of
the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative, will
function as an intelligence agency. Its main
objectives are to combat the traffic of women,
children and drugs in the Balkans, which has seen a
dramatic increase in illegal activity since the
collapse of communist rule 10 years ago.
Romania was chosen a site for the anti-crime effort
because it is seen as a crossroads for organized-crime
activity in Eastern Europe - much like neighboring
Hungary, where the U-S F-B-I [Federal Bureau of
Investigation] has set up a police academy.
Experts say Romania is known in the intelligence
community as a transit point for illegal drugs,
weapons and other goods traveling between Russia and
Western Europe.
Speaking at Tuesday's opening ceremony in Bucharest,
U-S Ambassador Richard Schifter said the new regional
center could have a crucial influence on economic
development in the former Communist countries of the
region.
Ambassador Schifter, who heads the Southeast European
Cooperative Initiative, says the crime problem
discourages foreign investment in the region.
Officials from the United States and 10 Balkan states
that have joined the Southeast European cooperative
group are to work together in the new regional center
with international customs, intelligence and police
experts.
Plans cal for cooperation with the international
police organization Interpol, the World Customs
Organization and police agencies throughout Eastern
Europe.
Switzerland, Italy and Austria also are providing
technical support to the center.
Ambassador Schifter says the goal of the regional
anti-crime center is to bring more peace and stability
to southeastern Europe. (Signed)
NEB/SJB/WTW
16-Nov-1999 18:45 PM EDT (16-Nov-1999 2345 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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