    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [June 19, 1998]
    [Page 995]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Estonia-United States Mutual
    Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    June 19, 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
    Estonia on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at
    Washington on April 2, 1998. 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 should be an effective
    tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of crimes, including
    ``white-collar'' crime and drug-trafficking offenses. The Treaty is
    self-executing.
        The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal
    matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: taking
    the testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, records,
    and articles of evidence; locating or identifying persons or items;
    serving documents; transferring persons in custody for testimony or
    other purposes; executing requests for searches and seizures; assisting
    in proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of assets,
    restitution, and collection of fines; and 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,

    June 19, 1998.