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ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO, SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF JUSTICE

United States Attorney General Janet Reno and South African Minister of Justice Penuell Maduna today signed two new law enforcement treaties which further cooperative law enforcement efforts between the two countries. The two treaties address extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. These treaties symbolize the close and cooperative relationship between the governments of the United States and the Republic of South Africa, particularly in the law enforcement community.

The new extradition treaty, which replaces one dating from 1947, will enhance both countries' ability to arrest and return fugitives for all crimes which are punishable in both countries. The new mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) will be the first of its kind in the southern African region and will facilitate the exchange of evidence and other cooperation between law enforcement authorities.

Delegations from the United States and South Africa negotiated these treaties during May, 1998 and April, 1999. Agreement on the treaties was made a priority of the Justice and Anti-Crime Cooperation Committee (JACC). This Committee, which is co-chaired by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, held its inaugural meeting at the U.S.-South Africa Binational Commission (BNC) meeting in Cape Town on February 17-18, 1999. The negotiations were successful, and the texts of both treaties were initialed on April 16, 1999, in Pretoria awaiting formal signature.

Today's signing ceremony is of particular note because modern extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties are becoming increasingly important as a means to combat the advancement of international criminal organizations, and to ensure that criminals have no safe haven from justice.

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