U.S. helps Armenian police with training, Internet access

Associated Press Worldstream
May 20, 2004 Thursday

YEREVAN, Armenia – The United States plans to grant almost US$2.16
million to Armenia to boost the capabilities of law enforcement bodies
in the former Soviet republic, officials said Thursday.

The program is a cooperative effort between Armenia’s government and
the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said.

Almost US$1.47 million has already been provided to fund four
programs. The programs focus on modernizing police academies by
incorporating new training methods, providing a one year Internet
connection for police offices throughout Armenia, working to prevent
the trafficking of people and helping Armenia develop a modern and
independent forensic laboratory.

The rest of the funding, which will also support the programs, must
still be approved by the U.S. Congress and the top official in the
U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs,
the embassy said.

Armenia is a cash-strapped Caucasus Mountain nation with a population
of 3.3 million.