    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 28, 1998]
    [Page 636]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 636]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Brazil-United States Mutual Legal
    Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    April 28, 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 Federative
    Republic of Brazil on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,
    signed at Brasilia on October 14, 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 that the United States is negotiating 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 modern criminals,
    including those involved in terrorism, other violent crimes, drug
    trafficking, 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 for testimony or other purposes; (5) providing documents,
    records, and items; (6) executing requests for searches and seizures;
    (7) assisting in proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of
    assets, restitution, and collection of fines; and (8) 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,

    April 28, 1998.