DATE=11/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ROMANIA / INTELLIGENCE CENTER (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256247
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  An international team of intelligence, customs 
and police experts has opened a regional center in 
Bucharest for combating organized crime throughout 
Eastern Europe.  The United States is lending major 
support to the anti-crime effort. Stefan Bos reports 
from Budapest, the new agency's headquarters is in the 
huge building that once the palace of Romania's former 
Communist dictator.

TEXT:  The gigantic marble palace of former dictator 
Nicolae Ceausescu will house the American-backed 
"Regional Center for Combating Trans-Border Crime."

Romanian officials say the new agency, a project of 
the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative, will 
function as an intelligence agency.  Its main 
objectives are to combat the traffic of women,  
children and drugs in the Balkans, which has seen a 
dramatic increase in illegal activity since the 
collapse of communist rule 10 years ago.

Romania was chosen a site for the anti-crime effort 
because it is seen as a crossroads for organized-crime 
activity in Eastern Europe - much like neighboring 
Hungary, where the U-S F-B-I [Federal Bureau of 
Investigation] has set up a police academy.

Experts say Romania is known in the intelligence 
community as a transit point for illegal drugs, 
weapons and other goods traveling between Russia and 
Western Europe.

Speaking at Tuesday's opening ceremony in Bucharest, 
U-S Ambassador Richard Schifter said the new regional 
center could have a crucial influence on economic 
development in the former Communist countries of the 
region.

Ambassador Schifter, who heads the Southeast European 
Cooperative Initiative, says the crime problem 
discourages foreign investment in the region.

Officials from the United States and 10 Balkan states 
that have joined the Southeast European cooperative 
group are to work together in the new regional center 
with international customs, intelligence and police 
experts.

Plans cal for cooperation with the international 
police organization Interpol, the World Customs 
Organization and police agencies throughout Eastern 
Europe.

Switzerland, Italy and Austria also are providing 
technical support to the center.

Ambassador Schifter says the goal of the regional 
anti-crime center is to bring more peace and stability 
to southeastern Europe.   (Signed)

NEB/SJB/WTW



16-Nov-1999 18:45 PM EDT (16-Nov-1999 2345 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.