With the ILEA, we will be able to provide a steady stream of training in core law enforcement skills for the police as well as for members of the judiciary who must respond to the rampant crime that challenges Africa's democracies and economies. In concert with the Government of Botswana, my Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is proud to put our resources toward addressing those training and operational problems that plague police agencies and hinder judges and prosecutors in securing convictions that are needed to prevent crime and bring criminals to justice. Even though we will not have the physical plant for the ILEA ready until the late summer of 2001, we are already working on bringing essential training courses to southern African nations. For example, soon we will be providing training on customs and border control and small arms trafficking for the region. We hope to be able to bring several representatives from each of the SADC countries together to begin this regional endeavor in cooperative crime fighting.
Crime is no longer a local phenomenon.
Crime knows no boundaries. It is transnational and requires transnational solutions. The need for this regional cooperation is great, and we believe that the ILEA will be a focal point of this much-needed activity. Each of the countries in this region will be keys to our collective success. And I thank each for its efforts.