    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 23, 2000]
    [Page 1011]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Honduras-United States
    Investment Treaty With Documentation
    May 23, 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 the Republic of
    Honduras Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of
    Investment, with Annex and Protocol, signed at Denver on July 1, 1995. I
    transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the report of the
    Department of State with respect to this Treaty.
        The bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with Honduras is the fourth
    such Treaty with a Central or South American country. The Treaty will
    protect U.S. investment and assist Honduras in its efforts to develop
    its economy by creating conditions more favorable for U.S. private
    investment and thus strengthen the development of its private sector.
        The Treaty is fully consistent with U.S. policy toward international
    and domestic investment. A specific tenet of U.S. policy, reflected in
    this Treaty, is that U.S. investment abroad and foreign investment in
    the United States should receive national treatment. Under this Treaty,
    the Parties also agree to international law standards for expropriation.
    The Treaty includes detailed provisions regarding the computation and
    payment of prompt, adequate, and effective compensation for
    expropriation; free transfer of funds related to investments; freedom of
    investments from specified performance requirements; fair, equitable,
    and most-favored-nation treatment; and the investor's freedom to choose
    to resolve disputes with the host government through international
    arbitration.
        I recommend that the Senate consider this Treaty as soon as
    possible, and give its advice and consent to ratification of the Treaty,
    with Annex and Protocol, at an early date.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    May 23, 2000.