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U.S. Embassy signs agreement with the Government of Lithuania to cooperate in the fight against counterfeit related crimes

September 29, 2003

Vilnius, September 29 - The United States Embassy has agreed to establish and to support a project designed to provide assistance to the Lithuanian National Police of the Republic of Lithuania to combat counterfeit related crimes.  This project will provide specialized training and equipment for the Lithuanian Police to assist in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of cases involving the counterfeiting of United States currency.  The total value of this training and equipment to be provided is $61,000.   The agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of  Lithuania will be signed on September 30 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Šventaragio 2, Vilnius).
 
The Lithuanian Police have become and continue to be a valuable ally in the endeavor to combat the production and distribution of counterfeit U.S. currency.  Their work has produced important results.  This funding will allow the United States to further enhance our working relationships and provide the means for our Lithuanian counterparts to intensify their efforts on our behalf.
 
The specific goal of this project is to improve the ability of the Lithuanian National Police to detect, investigate, and suppress the counterfeiting of U.S. currency.  The training for this project is conducted by the U.S. Secret Service in the United States.  It will provide training on the various manufacturing processes for genuine and counterfeit U.S. currency, forensics of photocopiers, and investigative techniques employed by the U.S. Secret Service to suppress counterfeit activities.
 
The United States Government will purchase material and equipment  that will be used to assist the Lithuanian National Police to better detect, investigate and prosecute counterfeiting crimes.  The planned life of this project is one year, following which the Lithuanian National Police of the Republic of Lithuania will be fully equipped and trained to effectively complete investigations of counterfeiting.