[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 22, 1992]
[Pages 133-134]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Transmitting the Spain-United States Legal 
Assistance Treaty

January 22, 1992
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 on Mutual Legal

[[Page 134]]

Assistance in Criminal Matters between the United States of America and 
the Kingdom of Spain, signed at Washington on November 20, 1990. 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 modern criminals, 
including members of drug cartels, ``white collar criminals,'' and 
terrorists. The Treaty is self-executing.
    The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 
matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: (1) the 
taking of testimony or statements of witnesses; (2) the provision of 
documents, records, and evidence; (3) the execution of requests for 
searches and seizures; (4) the serving of documents; and (5) the 
provision of assistance in proceedings relating to the forfeiture of the 
proceeds of crime and restitution to the victims of crime.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
January 22, 1992.