[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2728-S2729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 105-38

  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 March 27, 1998, by the President of 
the United States: Treaty with Venezuela on Mutual Legal Assistance in 
Criminal Matters, Treaty Document No. 105-38.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be considered as 
having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying 
papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations in order 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:
  With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty between the Government of 
the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 
Venezuela on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at 
Caracas on October 12, 1997. I transmit also, for the information of 
the Senate, the report of the Department of State with respect to the 
Treaty.
  The Treaty is one of a series of modern mutual legal assistance 
treaties

[[Page S2729]]

being negotiated by the United States for the purpose of countering 
criminal activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an effective 
tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of modern 
criminals, including those involved in terrorism, other violent crimes, 
drug trafficking, and money laundering and other white collar crime. 
The Treaty is self-executing, and will not require new legislation.
  The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 
matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: (1) 
locating or identifying persons or items; (2) serving documents; (3) 
taking testimony or statements of persons; (4) transferring persons in 
custody, or persons subject to criminal proceedings, for testimony or 
other purposes; (5) providing documents, records, files, and articles 
of evidence; (6) executing requests for searches and seizures; (7) 
assisting in proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of 
assets, restitution, and collection of fines; (8) executing procedures 
involving experts; and (9) any other form of assistance appropriate 
under the laws of the Requested State.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, March 27, 1998.

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