US State News
December 5, 2009 Saturday 10:48 PM EST

U.S. EMBASSY ASSISTS RA POLICE COMBAT ILLEGAL MIGRATION

YEREVAN, Armenia, Nov. 27 — The U.S. Embassy issued the following
press release:

On November 27, 2009, the U.S. government boosted the efforts of the
Armenian police to combat illegal migration through the donation of
computer equipment and two vehicles, worth a total of about $70,000.
The donation ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph
Pennington on behalf of the U.S. Embassy and, on behalf of the
Government of Armenia by Deputy Chief of Police Hovhannes Hunanyan.
The new equipment and vehicles will assist the Division on
International Cooperation and Combat against Illegal Migration to
effectively and speedily implement operations and searches in the
field; analyze, compile, process, and preserve sensitive information
and databases on the cases and offenders; as well as prevent people
from engaging in document fraud and illegal crossing of borders. It
will also contribute to effective cooperation between the National
Police and other interested parties, including foreign diplomatic
representations in Armenia, in joint efforts against illegal migration
and related crimes, such as illegal stay in other countries, illegal
labor migration, etc.

The donated equipment is only one part of the U.S. Government’s
comprehensive law enforcement assistance program in the Republic of
Armenia. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, through its International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Section, has funded the renovation
of the Police Induction Center in Kanaker and donated administrative
and classroom equipment to the Police Academy of the RA. In
cooperation with the Government of Armenia, the Embassy successfully
established a nationwide computer network for the RA Police. The U.S.
Government has assisted the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit of the
Police with computer equipment and a vehicle donated this year. During
the several years of implementation of INL programs in Armenia, a
significant number of assistance projects addressed law enforcement
needs though training for the National Police staff on a wide range of
subjects.