Russia, Azerbaijan Boost Law-Enforcement Coordination

Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov proposes to intensify law-enforcement work of Russia and Azerbaijan in the protection of biological resources of the Caspian sea. Gryzlov said this at a meeting with the interior minister of Azerbaijan, Ramil Usubov, during a visit to Baku. The Russian interior chief proposed, among other things, joint patrolling of the Caspian territory. In turn, Usubov asked his Russian opposite number to receive Azeri policemen in Russia for studying experience in the protection of biological resources. Gryzlov invited an Azeri delegation, with Usubov as the chief delegate, to the exhibition Interpolitech-2001 in Moscow. This exhibition presents latest Russian police-related developments, such as drug-detection equipment. The ministers also discussed interaction between their departments in the struggle against international terrorism and illegal drug trafficking, as well as exchange of personnel and help in training it. The Azeri interior minister thanked Gryzlov and the Russian law-enforcement organs for giving active help to the Azeri side. Specifically, over the last five years Russian law enforcers have extradited 400 criminals for committing crimes in Azerbaijan. In turn, Gryzlov thanked Azerbaijan for help in catching terrorists who attacked a Russian house in Buinaksk. The two ministers decided on the conduct of special operations on the border between Russia and Azerbaijan -- Kanal (Channel), against illegal drug trafficking, and Granitsa (Border), on cooperation in the border regions. A protocol on joint actions between the Russian and Azeri interior ministries in 2002 was inked after the negotiations.