Protocol of the Meeting of the Working Group on Countering Illicit Narcotics Trafficking of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission [English]
In pursuance of the decision of the President of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev and the President of the United States of America B. Obama of July 6, 2009, on the creation of the Working Group on countering illicit trafficking of narcotics (hereinafter "the Working Group") within the framework of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission, as well as in fulfilling the understanding reached during the meeting of the Working Group on March 24, 2011, in Moscow, the Working Group held its regular meeting on November 16, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois. A list of meeting participants is provided in Appendix No. 1.
In the course of the meeting, Working Group co-chairs delivered reports and exchanged views on the following issues:
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On the results of the work of sub-group "A," discussed cooperation to combat illicit finance related to joint actions against illegal production and trafficking of narcotics from Afghanistan, in so far as they relate to countering the legalization (laundering) of revenue derived from illicit narcotics trafficking;
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On the results of sub-group “B,” discussed successful demand reduction initiatives with specific emphasis on Family-Based Treatment and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs;
- On the results of sub-group “C,” discussed cooperation between the Russian Federal Narcotics Control Service (FSKN) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on countering narcotics trafficking.
Co-Chairs of the Working Group:
1. Decided to continue vigorous operational cooperation between Russia’s FSKN and the U.S. DEA on the realization of measures directed at both liquidating narcotics laboratories in Afghanistan and disrupting and dismantling entire drug trafficking networks between Afghanistan and Russia.
2. Decided to bolster cooperation between Russia’s FSKN and the U.S. DEA in conjunction with Central Asian regional law enforcement agencies which lie along the Northern Drug Trafficking Route and better ensure success at combating drug trafficking through synthesized investigative efforts between FSKN and DEA along with regional partners.
3. Directed the sharing of information and legal mechanisms that enable cooperation between the federal, state and local law enforcement levels to combat traffickers. Specific topics were related to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and the feasibility of implementing a similar mechanism in the legal system of the Russian Federation.
4. Arrived at an understanding within sub-group “B” to direct an increase in the exchange of information on effective treatment and rehabilitation protocols by exploring opportunities for increased joint studies. The findings of this topic will be addressed in further detail at the Spring 2012 Working Group meeting.
The meeting took place in a constructive, friendly atmosphere.
Participants agreed to hold the next meeting of the Working Group in Russia during the first half of 2012.
This Protocol was signed in Chicago, Illinois on November 16, 2011, in both English and Russian.
| For the U.S. Side | For the Russian Side |