A treaty between Bermuda and the United States which will allow authorities in both countries to collect criminal evidence for one another was signed yesterday.

Premier Ewart Brown, Deputy Premier Paula Cox and US Consul General Gregory Slayton signed the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters at Warwick Camp.

Mr. Slayton said: "The US and Bermuda this year celebrate a 400-year-old partnership and this treaty represents a major step in advancing law enforcement co-operation between our two countries.

"The US and Bermuda already have an excellent working relationship on law enforcement matters and this treaty will help formalise and solidify that relationship by creating a direct channel of contact between prosecutors in each country."

Mr. Slayton said the treaty would allow US and Bermuda authorities to request and obtain assistance from each other in criminal investigations and prosecutions and related proceedings.

"The treaty will improve the co-operation of our two governments in combating a wide variety of crimes, including economic crimes, money laundering, drug trafficking and sex offences," he said.

"It will do this by facilitating the collection of evidence needed by authorities in one country but located within the other country."

Types of assistance under the treaty are likely to include taking testimony; obtaining and providing documents, records or other items; conducting searches and seizures; locating persons and items and assisting in forfeiture proceedings.

Ms Cox, whose late father, former Finance Minister Eugene Cox, was involved in working on the treaty, said: "The signing of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) represents yet another significant milestone in the enduring relationship between the United States of America and Bermuda.

"The MLAT is designed to improve the effectiveness of the law enforcement authorities of both the United States and Bermuda in the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crime through co-operation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

"It should be an effective tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism offences."

She said Government was confident that the treaty would be "noted by key persons in Washington D.C. as a strengthening of the bond of friendship and co-operation between our two countries" and would strengthen the Island's reputation as a prime jurisdiction for international business.

Dr. Brown said: "Today's events demonstrate that the Government and people of Bermuda continue to enjoy the friendship, trust and mutual respect of the Government and people of the United States of America."

He added: "This is a proud and historic moment for our two countries and I am confident that our centuries-old relationship will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead."