US views Russia as an important partner in fight against organised crime

Russian Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov and US Attorney General John Ashcroft have discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and other law-enforcement areas.

Ustinov said that at the Monday talks the sides had agreed to fulfil certain instructions. He added that "we will help the Americans clear up the issue of Russian Mafia. At the same time, the Russian prosecutor stressed that this notion was rather journalistic than cinematographic.

As to cooperation within the treaty on mutual legal assistance, John Ashcroft remarked that forms of cooperation were being considered. When talking about the treaty on extradition, he noted that this idea required further consideration.

At the same time, both sides noted that the current differences in legislation of the two countries constituted certain obstacles for this treaty's conclusion. But we will proceed with extradition issues' negotiations even if no treaty is concluded," John Ashcroft remarked.

He also emphasised that the United States considered Russia an important partner in the fight against organised crime.

Vladimir Ustinov told newsmen that the wording of the treaty on cooperation between the Russian prosecutor general's office and the US attorney general's office.