FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: September 14, 2007 Steve Blando, Office of Public Affairs (202) 307-9065   Record Number of Countries Attend Witness Protection Symposium   Lyon, France – INTERPOL Headquarters was the host site of the Second Annual International Witness Protection Symposium, hosted by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. Attendance more than doubled from last year’s Symposium, with 40 countries in attendance for the three-day event, held from Sept. 5-7. INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble kicked off the proceedings, welcoming attendees to Lyon and highlighting some of the challenges of witness protection in a global arena. He cautioned that there was no “one-size-fits-all” solution to protecting witnesses in any given country or region, noting that all countries faced unique challenges; from the nature of threats to witnesses, ability to safeguard witnesses, as well as geographic limitations in relocating witnesses and their families in country. John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, was impressed by the attendance – up from 17 countries last year. “This is obviously a very important topic, and a historic event, as we gather together across international boundaries,” said Clark. Speaking for the Marshals Service, Clark added, “We are by no means the experts here, we want to hear from all of you.” Throughout the Symposium, one of the recurring facts from a number of panelists was that no witness who has fully complied with the guidelines of the U.S. Marshals Witness Security program has ever come to harm from retribution for his or her testimony. Clark emphasized to the attendees that the ability for witnesses to know that they will be protected is at the heart of the program. “For a government with a strong judicial system to be able to prosecute cases, witnesses must be kept safe from harm,” said Clark. An overview of witness security was presented by Sylvester E. Jones, the Assistant Director for the Witness Security and Prisoner Operations Division of the U.S. Marshals Service. Jones reiterated the importance of the program - now more that ever - with growing and emerging threats from highly organized terror groups and violent gangs. With the stakes higher than ever before, there is an “essential need to have persons willing to take the stand and point the witness finger,” said Jones. A number of panelists provided unique insight - from legislative issues to “real world” experiences of U.S. Attorneys who have utilized the testimony of protected witnesses in critical cases. Several international panelists spoke also, highlighting situations and challenges distinct to their homelands. Two countries took the opportunity during the Symposium to agree to join a trans-national relocation group for the exchange of witnesses. While the dialogue will continue well after the Symposium, the immediate direction was clear, coming from Director Clark, who urged attendees to come together to move forward. “Form coalitions – go back and put into place the strongest program you can put together,” said Clark.