[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
[September 6, 1995]
[Page 1316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Transmitting the Austria-United States 
Legal Assistance Treaty
September 6, 1995

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 the Republic of 
Austria on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Vienna 
on February 23, 1995. 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 activity more effectively. The Treaty will enhance our ability 
to investigate and prosecute a wide variety of offenses, including drug 
trafficking, violent crimes, and ``white-collar'' crimes. 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) 
taking the testimony or statements of persons; (2) providing documents, 
records, and articles of evidence; (3) serving documents; (4) locating 
or identifying persons or items; (5) transferring persons in custody for 
testimony or other purposes; (6) executing requests for searches and 
seizures; (7) assisting in forfeiture proceedings; and (8) 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,

September 6, 1995.