[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 149 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY PROTOCOL AMENDING THE CONVENTION WITH 
                       SWEDEN ON TAXES ON INCOME

  Mr. FRIST. As in executive session, I ask unanimous consent the 
injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted 
to the Senate on November 10, 2005, by the President of the United 
States: Protocol Amending the Convention with Sweden on Taxes on Income 
(Treaty Document 109-8).
  I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read a 
first time; that it be referred with accompanying papers to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations in order 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:
  I transmit herewith for the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, a Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government 
of the United States of America and the Government of Sweden for the 
Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with 
Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Washington on September 30, 2005 
(the ``Protocol''). Also transmitted for the information of the Senate 
is the report of the Department of State with respect to the Protocol.
  The Protocol eliminates the withholding tax on certain cross-border 
dividend payments. The proposed Protocol is one of a few recent U.S. 
tax agreements to provide for the elimination of the withholding tax on 
dividends arising from certain direct investments. In addition, the 
Protocol also modernizes the Convention to bring it into closer 
conformity with current U.S. tax-treaty policy, including strengthening 
the treaty's provisions preventing so-called 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.
                                                      George W. Bush.  
The White House, November 10, 2005.

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