[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 105-2

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following 
treaty transmitted to the Senate on January 28, 1997, by the President 
of the United States: Taxation Treaty with Thailand, Treaty Document 
No. 105-2; I further ask unanimous consent the treaty be considered as 
having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying 
papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be 
printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The message of the President is as follows:

To the Senate of the United States:
  I transmit herewith for Senate advice and consent to ratification the 
Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and 
the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for the Avoidance of Double 
Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on 
Income, signed at Bangkok, November 26, 1996. An enclosed exchange of 
notes, transmitted for the information of the Senate, provides 
clarification with respect to the application of the Convention in 
specified cases. Also transmitted is the report of the Department of 
State concerning the Convention.
  This Convention, which is similar to other tax treaties between the 
United States and developing nations, provides maximum rates of tax to 
be applied to various types of income and protection from double 
taxation of income. The Convention also provides for the exchange of 
information to prevent fiscal evasion and sets forth standard rules to 
limit the benefits of the Convention to persons that are not engaged in 
treaty shopping.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
this Convention and give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, January 28, 1997.

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