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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Notice to the Press
February 16, 1999

Vice President Gore to Host
"A Global Forum on Fighting Corruption:
Safeguarding Integrity Among Justice
and Security Officials"

Vice President Gore will host at the U.S. Department of State February 24-26, 1999, the first-ever international conference on fighting corruption among justice and security officials. Over 30 officials from more than 70 countries and over twenty multilateral and non-governmental organizations will join the Vice President for the world’s first conference to target corruption from the receiving side—among police, prosecutors, judges, military personnel, customs officials, border guards, financial regulators and budget and procurement officials.

The Vice President’s conference is part of a broad Clinton Administration approach to battling the rising tide fo international crime. In 1997, President Clinton called on the Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury to develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to fight international crime. Working closely with numerous federal agencies, these departments developed the International Crime Control Strategy, released May 1998, which offers a road map for coordinated, effective, long-term attack on international crime.

The 3-day conference will begin Wednesday morning with the Vice President’s keynote address, followed immediately by a discussion of the damage done to economies and democracies by official corruption. The conference agenda also will include discussion and analysis of the different legal frameworks and enforcement authorities, comparative strategies for making corruption visible, and methods for promoting integrity among justice and security officials.

All media intending to cover the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption must register in advance to receive an official conference press credential, which permits access to cover events.

Applications are available via the Internet at www.state.gov or www.usia.gov/integrity or call (202) 724-0050 from your fax machine and request document #302. Completed applications for press credentials must be received in Washington no later than Wednesday, February 17. Distribution will take place on February 23.

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