Embassy Press Release

U.S. Ambasador's Remarks at the SECI Center

Minister Blaga,
Director Mocnik,
Distinguished Ambassadors and Senior Representatives,

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address this important meeting in the life of the SECI Center.

The Southeast European Cooperative Initiative began over a decade ago, when the countries of this region, with the support of the United States, decided to come together to help each other bring stability, democracy, peace and security to the region. This has not been an easy undertaking. But the challenges are being met -- and progress can be seen at every turn.

Standing in the way of this progress, however, is the persistent danger of organized crime. It affects every country in this region, in Europe, across the Atlantic in the United States, and around the globe.

On May 6, 1999, the countries of Southeast Europe and their partners decided to do something about the threat of organized crime. You decided to open the doors to, and support the activity of, the SECI Regional Center for Combating Transborder Crime.

I am pleased to say that the United States has been with you every step of the way. The SECI Center is now recognized by everyone as the only effective platform for operational law enforcement cooperation in Southeast Europe. And it has a record of accomplishment that cannot be ignored or denied -- a record of accomplishment that should be a source of pride for everyone in this room.

Over the years, the United States has demonstrated its support of the SECI Center by contributing not only financial resources, but also the hard work of law enforcement professionals from the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the DEA, and other agencies in the United States. We have successfully partnered with the SECI Center in many operations--and, with our friends in Southeast Europe, we have made a difference. We have made a difference in the fight against Trafficking in Human Beings, Drug Trafficking, Financial Crimes and Money Laundering, Cyber crimes, and in many other areas now being tackled by the seven different task forces at the SECI Center.

We should not let this success breed complacency. The criminal organizations that are active in this region are constantly changing and adapting to the new strategies we devise to fight them. As we all know, criminal organizations are not burdened by the need to comply with anyone's laws. That requires the law abiding countries of this region to redouble their efforts to cooperate in law enforcement.

In many ways, the SECI Center is now at a crossroads.

The United States urges the Member Countries of the SECI Center to take this excellent institution to the next level--a level at which there is full international recognition; a staff that is sufficiently large to perform the essential analytical, operational, and IT tasks; a full complement of seconded liaison officers; strong central government support for the work of the JCC; and a healthy budget. This is a step the Member Countries need to take. Neither the United States nor the European Union is in a position to substitute for the full, active commitment of you, as the Member Countries.

President Basescu has spoken often and vigorously of the need to endow this institution with all the attributes that it needs to combat organized crime. This is a challenge to the region -- one that can be met -- building on the outstanding work already done by the many liaison officers, advisors, management and staff of the SECI Center over the last six years.

I wish you great success during your meeting today. It is my strong hope that at the end of your discussions, you will reach solid conclusions on how best to cooperate in preserving and strengthening this very worthy institution.

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