    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 3, 2000]
    [Page 184]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 184]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Romania-United States Mutual
    Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    February 3, 2000

    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 Romania on Mutual
    Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on May 26,
    1999. The report of the Department of State with respect to the Treaty
    is enclosed.
        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 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 items 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 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,

    February 3, 2000.