ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96032802.GWE
DATE:03/28/96
TITLE:28-03-96  TEXT: U.S. CUSTOMS ON NEW MUTUAL ASSISTANCE PACT WITH TURKEY

TEXT:
(Will aid fight against narcotics smuggling, fraud) (340)

Washington -- The United States and Turkey have signed a new Customs
Mutual Assistance Agreement under which the two countries will improve
their cooperation to combat such serious problems as drug smuggling,
commercial fraud, and export controls.

Following is the text of a March 28 news release issued by the U.S.
Customs Service explaining the agreement:

(Begin text)

Secretary of the Treasury Robert E. Rubin and Nuzhet Kandemir, Turkish
Ambassador to the united States, today signed a Customs Mutual
Assistance Agreement (CMAA) that will assist the two countries in
prevention, investigation and repression of Customs offenses.

This Agreement provides a basis for cooperation and investigation in
the areas of commercial fraud, narcotics smuggling, and export control
and will be mutually beneficial to the Customs Administrations of the
United States and the Republic of Turkey by enhancing their abilities
to enforce Customs laws.

Commenting on the agreement, U.S. Customs Assistant Commissioner for
International Affairs Douglas M. Browning said, "The signing of this
Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement formalizes an excellent existing
working relationship and further strengthens the cooperation between
the Governments of the United States of America and the~ Republic of
Turkey and of our respective Customs Administrations. International
trade and criminal activity are increasing so rapidly, it is essential
for us to establish a network of agreements between Customs agencies
to share information for facilitating trade and law enforcement
purposes. Everyone wins when we establish mechanisms for mutual
cooperation to promote international trade and thwart criminal
activity."

U.S. domestic laws, and most foreign national law, do not permit
disclosure of much information in the absence of a formal agreement or
treaty. The CMAA will allow U.S. Customs to exchange information,
intelligence, and other assistance with the Republic of Turkey.

U.S. Customs has signed agreements with a number of other countries.
As of this date, 26 have entered into force.

(End text)
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