Press Release

U.S. and Switzerland Strengthen Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism and Terrorist Financing; Attorney General Gonzales and Federal Councilor Blocher Sign New OWA

Bern July 12, 2006

The Embassy of the United States in Bern is pleased to note the signing in Washington today of a new Operative Working Arrangement (OWA) to strengthen the cooperation between the law enforcement authorities of the U.S. and Switzerland in fighting terrorism and terrorism financing.

The OWA was signed July 12 at Blair House by the Attorney General of the United States, Alberto R. Gonzales, and Federal Councilor Christoph Blocher.

The new document is a successor to the Operative Working Arrangement of 2002 and establishes guidelines for the employment of law enforcement officers in joint U.S.-Swiss investigation teams.

Commenting on the Washington signing, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Carol Urban said: “The new OWA is the result of months of careful preparation by the United States and Switzerland.  It serves the interests of both peoples and governments in bringing our law enforcement officials closer together and enabling them to operate more effectively in the fight against terrorism and terrorist financing.  The arrangement is one further example of the excellent and productive relationship between the United States and Switzerland.”

The provisions of the arrangement will become effective following their approval by the Swiss Parliament.

Embassy of Switzerland, Washington D.C., Press Releases July-September 2006