[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4841-S4842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 105-44

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. 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 May 13, 1998, by the 
President of the United States: Treaty with Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Treaty 
Document No. 105-44).
  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 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

[[Page S4842]]

Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Mutual Legal 
Assistance in Criminal Matters, and a related Protocol, signed at 
Kingstown on January 8, 1998. 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 in order to counter 
criminal activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an effective 
tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of crimes, 
including drug trafficking offenses. 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 
of testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, records, 
and articles of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying 
persons; transferring persons in custody for testimony or other 
purposes; executing requests for searches and seizures; assisting in 
proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of assets; 
restitution; collection of fines; and any other form of assistance not 
prohibited by the laws of the Requested State.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
the Treaty and related Protocol, and give its advice and consent to 
ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, May 13, 1998.

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