    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 20, 1998]
    [Pages 414-415]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Saint Kitts and Nevis-
    United States Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    March 20, 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis
    on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Basseterre on
    September 18, 1997, and a related exchange of notes signed at Bridgetown
    on October 29, 1997, and 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
    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
    of testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, records, and
    articles of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying
    persons; 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; collection of fines; and 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 related exchange of notes, and give its advice and
    consent to ratification.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    [[Page 415]]

    The White House,

    March 20, 1998.