[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 105-40

  Ms. COLLINS. As in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that 
the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty 
transmitted to the Senate on April 2, 1998, by the President of the 
United States:
  Treaty with Israel on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, 
Treaty Document No. 105-40.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be considered as 
having been read for 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:
  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 State of Israel 
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Tel Aviv on 
January 26, 1998, and a related exchange of notes signed the same date. 
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 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, money laundering, and other white collar 
crime. The Treaty is self-executing.
  The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 
matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: taking 
the testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, records, 
and articles of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying 
persons or items; transferring persons in custody for testimony or for 
other assistance; executing requests for searches and seizures; 
assisting in proceedings related to seizure, immobilization and 
forfeiture of assets, restitution, and collection of fines; executing 
procedures involving experts; and providing 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, April 2, 1998.

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