U.S., Soviet Union Agree to Expand Legal Cooperation
The United States and the Soviet Union agreed Friday to expand their cooperation on legal affairs issues ranging from consumer protection to civil rights.
After a week of talks on the legal systems of the two superpowers, Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh and Soviet Justice Minister Veniamin F. Yakovlev broadened the cooperation agreement reached in Moscow last October.
“This is a historic event,” said Yakovlev. “This has started a process of cooperation that will continue.”
The two officials agreed to continue regular exchanges of information, which will be expanded to include consumer protection, civil cases, civil rights and federalism--the system under which power is divided by a constitution between central and local governments.
The two also agreed to study a possible mutual legal assistance treaty and to consult on judicial and prison issues.
Thornburgh said the meetings achieved a major step forward.
“It is extremely important (that we) stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Soviet counterparts on the rule of law and human rights,” he said.
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