[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[July 13, 2000]
[Pages 1431-1432]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Transmitting the Cyprus-United States Mutual Legal 
Assistance Treaty
July 13, 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 
Cyprus on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Nicosia 
on December 20, 1999. 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. Together with the Extradition 
Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of the Republic of Cyprus, which entered into force September 
14, 1999, this Treaty will, upon entry into force, provide an effective 
tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of offenses, 
including organized crime, terrorism,

[[Page 1432]]

drug-trafficking offenses, and other violent crimes as well as money 
laundering and other white collar crimes of particular interest to the 
U.S. law enforcement community. 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 other items; locating or identifying persons or items; serving 
documents; transferring persons in custody for testimony or other 
purposes; executing 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,

July 13, 2000.