    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 27, 1998]
    [Page 456]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Venezuela-United States
    Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    March 27, 1998

    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
    Venezuela on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at
    Caracas on October 12, 1997. 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 for the purpose of
    countering criminal activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an
    effective tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of modern
    criminals, including those involved in terrorism, other violent crimes,
    drug trafficking, and money laundering and other white collar crime. The
    Treaty is self-executing, and will not require new legislation.
        The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal
    matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: (1)
    locating or identifying persons or items; (2) serving documents; (3)
    taking testimony or statements of persons; (4) transferring persons in
    custody, or persons subject to criminal proceedings, for testimony or
    other purposes; (5) providing documents, records, files, and articles of
    evidence; (6) executing requests for searches and seizures; (7)
    assisting in proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of
    assets, restitution, and collection of fines; (8) executing procedures
    involving experts; and (9) any other form of assistance appropriate
    under 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,

    March 27, 1998.