[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 5 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 106-17

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, as in executive session, I ask 
unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the 
following convention transmitted to the Senate on January 31, 2000, by 
the President of the United States: Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance 
in Criminal Matters with France, Treaty Document No. 106-17.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the convention 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 Between the Government of 
the United States of America and the Government of France on Mutual 
Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Paris on December 10, 
1998. I transmit also, for the Senate's information, an explanatory 
note agreed between the Parties regarding the application of certain 
provisions. The report of the Department of State with respect to the 
Treaty is enclosed.
  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 terrorism and 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: 
obtaining the testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, 
records, and items of evidence; locating or identifying persons or 
items; serving documents; 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, and collection of fines; and rendering 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 give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, January 31, 2000.

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