    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 22, 1998]
    [Page 832]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Czech Republic-United States
    Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    May 22, 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 United States
    of America and the Czech Republic on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
    Matters, signed at Washington on February 4, 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 activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an effective
    tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of crimes, including
    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: locating
    or identifying persons or items; serving documents; taking testimony or
    statements of persons; transferring persons in custody for testimony or
    other purposes; providing documents, records, and articles of evidence;
    executing requests for searches and seizures; immobilizing assets;
    assisting in proceedings related to forfeiture of assets, restitution,
    and criminal fines; and providing any other assistance consistent with
    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,

    May 22, 1998.