FBIS4-43965
"drweu121_a_94001"
FBIS-WEU-94-121
Daily Report
22 Jun 1994
AUSTRIA
Loeschnak, Russia's Yerin Discuss Organized Crime
Loeschnak, Russia's Yerin Discuss Organized Crime
AU2206122394 Vienna Oesterreich Eins Radio Network in German
1000 GMT 22 Jun 94
AU2206122394
Vienna Oesterreich Eins Radio Network
German
BFN
[Report on news conference by Interior Minister Franz
Loeschnak and Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin by Robert
Stoppacher in Vienna on 22 June -- recorded]
[Text] [Stoppacher] After the collapse of the Soviet Union,
crime has risen dramatically in the successor states. Organized
crime is a particularly serious problem. About 2,000 to 3,000
gangs specialized in extorting protection money, illegal deals,
and speculation are now active in Russia. According to the
Austrian Interior Ministry, money of the so-called Russian mafia
is also reaching Austria. This problem was also a major issue
that was discussed during the working visit to Austria by
Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin.
Interior Minister Franz Loeschnak and his Russian
counterpart
mainly discussed drug trafficking, economic crime, and
immigration problems. The two officials are resolved to take
joint action, particularly in the fight against organized crime.
An intensive exchange of information should help stop criminal
activities by Russian gangs. The Russian mafia -- a term that
Loeschnak's opposite number does not like -- is to be stopped.
Austrian authorities have received information recently that
enormous sums resulting from Russian crime are being invested in
Austria through the establishment of various companies that
specialize in trade and the procurement of goods.
Interior Minister Loeschnak spoke of companies that
obviously
serve organized crime.
[Loeschnak] In addition, there are individual cases of
companies in Austria and in Russia that have only one or two
employees and an office with a telephone, but which have a
turnover of hundreds of millions of schillings. Thus, one must
ask whether there is something fishy about these companies, and
whether the money that is being deposited has been earned in
noncriminal activity. There have been several such cases in the
past few months. Thus, in the event of dubious deals, we will
increasingly investigate, with the support of the Russian
executive bodies and on the basis of the existing banking laws
in Austria, where the money comes from.
[Stoppacher] Russian Interior Minister Viktor Yerin reported
the following on the structure of organized crime in Russia.
[Yerin] The connection between economic and everyday crime
is
typical of organized crime. Moreover, these groups are bribing
public employees. Thus, you can rest assured that we will
inform you fully on their activities after a full investigation.
[Stoppacher] Thus, the Russian mafia, international drug
trafficking, and the smuggling of refugees is to be fought
together with the Austrian authorities. Viktor Yerin also
stressed that nobody needs to be afraid of a wave of emigration
to Austria, involving millions of Russian, as has repeatedly
been mentioned by the media. The situation has already
stabilized to a certain extent in Russia. Numerous Russians
even want to return to home.