SWISS DEVELOPMENT AID IN COMBATTING CRIME AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION
Switzerland is to assist the Czech Republic in combatting crime. The Swiss Federal Minister of Justice and Police, Arnold Koller and the Czech Interior Minister, Jan Ruml, signed a common declaration on co-operation in this field during a visit of Mr. Koller in Prague, on 11 May.
The talks between the two Ministers centered on co-operation over "internal stability", the fight against organised crime - in particular, money laundering.
After their meeting the two ministers were unanimous in asserting that illegal migration posed a threat two internal security in both countries. The Swiss minister emphasised that governments must always and immediately take clear position against expressions of xenophobia. On the other hand, the public must be convinced that the authorities do not minimise the problem and are in control of the situation, Mr. Koller added.
The two ministers further agreed on taking up talks aiming at a bilateral treaty on the return of rejected refugees in the spirit of the Budapest Conference goal of creating a European system of treaties in this field (see FECL No.13, p.1; No.16, p.5).
Police co-operation between the two states has intensified after Mr. Koller's visit to the Czech Republic, a year ago. In April, Czech police officers attended a training course in Switzerland on organised crime. Similar courses on computer, drug related and economic crime are to take place within this year. Switzerland will also assist the Czech Republic in reorganising its criminal investigation forces. According to Mr. Koller, a Swiss pilot project in this field has already brought about "concrete positive results" in Hungary.
Arnold Koller also met the Czech Minister of Justice, Novak. Talks focused on money laundering. At a joint press conference Mr. Novak said that work of his ministery on a draft bill on the fight against money laundering was progressing and that the Czech Republic would be among the first countries in eastern Central Europe to adopt such legislation.
The Czech Minister pointed out that the draft bill contained a number of elements included in the extension of the Swiss provisions on money laundering and he emphasised the "positive role of know-how transfer" in drawing up the Czech bill. In his turn, Mr. Koller stressed that "effective international communication and co-operation were extremely important in particular in fighting against drug related and money laundering crime.
Sources: *Berner Zeitung* , 11.5.94; *Neue Zürcher Zeitung* , 15/16.5.93.