[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NOS. 105-53 AND 105-
                                   54

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following 
treaties transmitted to the Senate on June 23, 1998, by the President 
of the United States:
  First, Treaty with Niue on Delimitation of a Maritime Boundary 
(Treaty Document No. 105-53);
  Second, Treaty with Belize for Return of Stolen Vehicles (Treaty 
Document No. 105-54).
  I further ask that the treaties be considered as having been read the 
first time; that they be referred, with accompanying papers, to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the 
President's messages be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The messages of the President are as follows:

To the Senate of the United States:
  I transmit herewith, for advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, the Treaty Between the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of Niue on the Delimitation of a Maritime 
Boundary. The Treaty was signed in Wellington May 13, 1997. The report 
of the Department of State is enclosed for the information of the 
Senate.
  The sole purpose of the Treaty is to establish a maritime boundary in 
the South Pacific Ocean between the United States territory of American 
Samoa and Niue. The 279-mile boundary runs in a general east-west 
direction, with the United States islands of American Samoa to the 
north, and Niue to the south. The boundary defines the limit within 
which the United States and Niue may exercise maritime jurisdiction, 
which includes fishery and other exclusive economic zone jurisdiction.
  Niue is in free association with New Zealand. Although it is self-
governing on internal matters, Niue conducts its foreign affairs in 
conjunction with New Zealand. Niue has declared, and does manage, its 
exclusive economic zone. Therefore, the United States requested, and 
received, confirmation from New Zealand that the Government of Niue had 
the requisite competence to enter into this agreement with the United 
States and to undertake the obligations contained therein.
  I believe this Treaty to be fully in the interest of the United 
States. It reflects the tradition of cooperation and close ties with 
Niue in this region. This boundary was never disputed.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
this Treaty and advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, June 23, 1998.
                                  ____

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 Belize for the 
Return of Stolen Vehicles, with Annexes and Protocol, signed at 
Belmopan on October 3, 1996. 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 stolen vehicle treaties being 
negotiated by the United States in order to eliminate the difficulties 
faced by owners of vehicles that have been stolen and transported 
across international borders. When it enters into force, it will be an 
effective tool to facilitate the return of U.S. vehicles that have been 
stolen and taken to Belize. The Treaty establishes procedures for the 
recovery and return of vehicles that are registered, titled, or 
otherwise documented in the territory of one Party, stolen in the 
territory of that Party or from one of its nationals, and found in the 
territory of the other Party.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
the Treaty, with Annexes and Protocol, and give its advice and consent 
to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, June 23, 1998.

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