FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         OTJ
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1997                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

      JUSTICE AND INTERIOR DEPARTMENTS TO WORK WITH TRIBAL 
           LEADERS TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN INDIAN COUNTRY

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --  In response to President Clinton's call
to improve law enforcement and criminal justice in Indian
Country, the Justice and Interior Departments today reached out
to tribal leaders across the country to discuss how to build
stronger and safer tribal communities.

     In letters sent today to tribal leaders in 33 states,
Attorney General Reno and Interior Secretary Babbitt have invited
tribal representatives to participate in consultations that will
increase public safety on tribal lands. Consultations will be
conducted by the federal government under the auspices of local
U.S. Attorneys.

     Earlier this week, in a memorandum to Attorney General Reno
and Secretary Babbitt, President Clinton expressed concern over
that fact that while the national crime rate has fallen 17
percent since 1992, and the homicide rate has declined about 22
percent, homicide and other violent crime rates in Indian Country
have increased to levels that often surpass those in large
American cities.  Consistent with his 1994 memorandum on
government-to-government relations and tribal self-governance,
the President directed Babbitt and Reno to work with tribal
leaders to address the law enforcement problem in Indian Country.

     "Violence and crime in Indian Country impose a terrible toll
on Native American citizens and interfere with the ability of
Indian Tribes to achieve meaningful self governance, as well as
peace and stability in their communities," said Reno. 

     "Law enforcement in Indian Lands simply has not been able to
keep pace with ever increasing violent crime in an era of
systematic budget cutbacks," added Babbitt.  "We welcome this
invitation from President Clinton to develop recommendations for
the future." 

     After receiving the President's directive, Attorney General
Reno and Secretary Babbitt announced formation of an Executive
Committee to analyze the nature of the problem and present
options for meaningful improvement.  The Committee, co-chaired by
Kevin DiGregory, Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Justice
Department and Hilda Manuel, Deputy Commissioner of Indian
Affairs at the Interior Department, will consider the ideas
generated during the consultations between U.S. Attorneys and
tribal leaders and report to the Attorney General and Interior
Secretary.  Tribal leaders will join federal law enforcement
officials as members of the Committee.  A list of Committee
members is attached.

     The Attorney General and Interior Secretary will then
evaluate the work of the Committee and submit a report presenting
options to the President by December 31, 1997.
97-353                         ###