June 25, 2003

Press Release

Letter of Agreement on Law Enforcement
Fact Sheet

When the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Law Enforcement and Narcotics provides assistance to foreign countries, U.S. law requires a written agreement to ensure proper delivery, implementation, and follow-up of the provided assistance.

The agreement with Estonia provides U.S. funding and assistance for a number of worthwhile projects designed to help modernize the police and meet new challenges.

The agreement will be signed by U.S. Ambassador, Joseph DeThomas, and Minister of Internal Affairs, Margus Leivo, on June 26, 2003 from 09.30-10.30 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Pikk 61.

PROJECT 1: COMPUTER CRIMES/CYBER CRIMES ESTONIAN CART DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
$128,050

The goal of this project is to help the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs develop its capacity to combat computer crime by identifying a cadre of police to be trained and equipped in the model of the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team ("CART").

Embassy Tallinn has already provided Estonian law enforcement authorities with training. The project will also institutionalize the Estonian police's ability to investigate computer crimes by developing a classroom at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Public Service Academy training center designated for computer crimes training by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Government of the United States of America ("USG") has identified $47,000 for procurement of computers and other development for the classroom.

PROJECT II: COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR THE ESTONIAN POLICE
$10,000

The purpose of this project is to provide Estonian police with communications equipment for surveillance teams.

PROJECT III: PÄRNU PREFECTURE
$35,000

This project seeks to simplify and expedite the paperwork that Estonian law enforcement authorities are required to complete when they make arrests. The FBI will conduct a pilot project to provide at least 2 laptops to the Pärnu prefecture. The U.S. also will provide funding to develop a macro program that will consolidate and simplify the arrest procedure paperwork.

PROJECT IV: CLASSROOM RENOVATION
$5,000

In acknowledgement of the degree of computerization of Estonian society and the resulting threat of computer crimes and Internet frauds, the Estonian Police have sought greater training capability to combat these crimes. To complement the development and upgrade of computer facilities designated for CART training purposes, the USG will provide $5,000 to upgrade facilities (including hardware and software) of two computer rooms at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Public Service Academy training center.