    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 2, 1998]
    [Page 497]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Israel-United States Mutual Legal
    Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    April 2, 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 State of Israel
    on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Tel Aviv on
    January 26, 1998, and a related exchange of notes signed the same date.
    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, money laundering, and other white collar crime. 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; serving documents; locating or identifying
    persons or items; transferring persons in custody for testimony or for
    other assistance; executing requests for searches and seizures;
    assisting in proceedings related to seizure, immobilization and
    forfeiture of assets, restitution, and collection of fines; executing
    procedures involving experts; and providing 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,

    April 2, 1998.