2008 Press Releases
U.S. Supports Internationalizing Action Against Corruption at Transparency International Event in Athens
Athens (October 31, 2008) -- Senior officials from the U.S. Departments of Justice and State are emphasizing U.S. efforts to internationalize action against corruption as they take part in the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference, a biennial event that began here yesterday, sponsored by the IACC Council, Transparency International, TI Greece, and the Greek Ministry of Justice.
Chief of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Bruce Ohr praised the commitment of the Greek government to this effort, illustrated by its support for this year’s conference. “The international community needs to be ‘smarter’ in confronting transnational threats posed by illicit activities,” Ohr noted as the conference began, speaking of the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and evidence collection to better understand the linkages between organized crime networks, corruption nodes, and terrorist organizations.
On April 23, 2008, U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey announced the Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat International Organized Crime to address the growing threat to U.S. security and stability posed by international organized crime. The strategy was developed following an October 2007 International Organized Crime Threat Assessment.
The strategy specifically reacts to the globalization of legal and illegal business, advances in technology, particularly the Internet, and the evolution of symbiotic relationships between criminals, public officials and business leaders that have combined to create a new, less restrictive environment within which international organized criminals can operate. Ultimately, the strategy aims to create consensus among domestic law enforcement in identifying the most significant priority targets and then unified and concerted action among domestic and international law enforcement in significantly disrupting and dismantling those targets.
Ohr’s presentation on November 2 will stress that while all countries face the challenge of corruption, each one has to set up effective systems aimed at rooting it out. On the international front, Ohr will describe how the United States works with partners around the world to raise awareness of the challenge posed by transnational organized crime.
In addition, chairing the working group session entitled “Dismantling Illicit Networks and Corruption Nodes” will be David M. Luna, Director for Anti-Crime Programs at the U.S. Department of State. Luna stressed that: “The explosion of violence and corruption is the most visible and dramatic manifestation of the damage that transnational criminal networks and kleptocrats inflict on societies across the world. In addition to helping create a climate of insecurity and impunity, international crime groups exploit and subvert weaker governments in order to guarantee themselves a secure operating environment. Corruption lies at the heart of transnational crime's ability to thrive. With tools such as the UN Conventions Against Corruption and Transnational Organized Crime, the United States partners with the international community to dismantle the illicit and corrupt networks that endanger our joint security, promote international cooperation, and help to strengthen critical law enforcement institutions and rule of law systems.”
Also participating will be John Brandolino, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Vienna.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney General’s International Organized Crime strategy, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2008/ioc-strategy-public-overview.pdf .