[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S11057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 107-19 AND TREATY 
                          DOCUMENT NO. 107-20

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be 
removed from the following treaties transmitted to the Senate on 
November 14, 2002, by the President of the United States:
  Convention with Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding Double 
Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (Treaty Doc. 107-19); and
  Protocol Amending Convention with Australia regarding Double Taxation 
and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (Treaty Doc. 107-20).
  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 message 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 Senate advice and consent to ratification, 
the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America 
and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 
Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of 
Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains, 
signed at London on July 24, 2001, together with an exchange of notes, 
as amended by the Protocol signed at Washington on July 19, 2002 (the 
``Convention''). I also transmit the report of the Department of State 
concerning the Convention.
  The proposed Convention transmitted herewith would replace the 
Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and 
the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 
Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of 
Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains, 
signed at London on December 31, 1975, as modified by a subsequent 
agreement and protocols.
  This Convention, which is similar to tax treaties between the United 
States and other developed nations, provides for maximum rates of tax 
to be applied to various types of income, protection from double 
taxation of income, and for the exchange of information. The Convention 
also contains rules making its benefits unavailable to persons who are 
engaged in treaty shopping. The proposed Convention is the first U.S. 
income tax convention to provide a zero rate of withholding on certain 
direct investment dividends.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
this Convention, and that the Senate give its advice and consent to 
ratification.

To the Senate of the United States:
  I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, a 
Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of Australia for the Avoidance of 
Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to 
Taxes on Income, signed at Canberra on September 27, 2001 (the 
``Protocol''). I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the 
report of the Department of State concerning the Protocol.
  The Convention, as amended by the Protocol, would be similar to 
recent tax treaties between the United States and other developed 
nations. It provides maximum rates of tax to be applied to various 
types of income and protection from double taxation of income. The 
Convention, as amended by the Protocol, also provides for resolution of 
disputes and sets forth rules making its benefits unavailable to 
residents that are engaged in treaty shopping.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
this Protocol, and that the Senate give its advice and consent to 
ratification.

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