SPAIN – US. EXTRADITION AGREEMENT SIGNED

Justice Minister Juan Fernando López Aguilar and United States Attorney General John Ashcroft reinforced cooperation on the fight against crime and terrorism, with the signing of an agreement covering extradition and mutual legal assistance. 
The pact represents "a significant improvement" in judicial and political cooperation on criminal matters between both countries, said López Aguilar after the meeting in Madrid. For his part, Ashcroft said that the best answer to the global threat of terrorism is to have good allies.
The agreement establishes that Spain and the United States will assist each other with criminal investigations underway in either territory. This assistance includes sharing bank information, training joint investigative teams, beaming testimonies over videoconference to investigators in the other country, and using fast communications systems to exchange information that could help bring suspects to trial.
With regard to extradition, the regulations for which were first set down in a 1970 bilateral treaty, the new agreement stipulates that people found guilty of crimes punishable with prison terms of over a year will be subject to deportation. Neither the United States nor Spain will be under the obligation to hand over their own citizens, but authorities may do so if they consider it appropriate.
Spain also introduced a clause to prevent American authorities from applying the death penalty to detainees handed over by Spanish authorities.
During the meeting, both heads of justice underscored the importance of making the fight against terrorism "an unflagging priority" both in domestic and foreign policy. López Aguilar thanked Ashcroft for "the United States' contribution to global security and the fight against crime and terrorism," and Ashcroft expressed gratitude for the "sound and working" support provided by Spain to avoid more attacks like September 11, 2001. Ashcroft, who has resigned but remains in office until a successor is confirmed, declined to comment on whether relations between both countries have cooled in recent months. The Socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq soon after winning the general election in March, angering US President George W. Bush.