    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [January 31, 2000]
    [Page 162]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the France-United States Mutual Legal
    Assistance Treaty With Documentation
    January 31, 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 France on Mutual
    Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Paris on December 10,
    1998. I transmit also, for the Senate's information, an explanatory note
    agreed between the Parties regarding the application of certain
    provisions. 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:
    obtaining 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 rendering 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,

    January 31, 2000.