    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 15, 2002]
    [Pages 1247-1248]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Belize-United States Treaty on
    Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
    July 15, 2002

    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 Belize on Mutual
    Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Belize on September 19,
    2000, and a related exchange of notes signed at Belize on September 18
    and 22, 2000. I transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the
    report of the Department of State with respect to the Treaty.

    [[Page 1248]]

        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, money laundering, and terrorism 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 articles of evidence; locating or identifying persons; 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 to the victims of crime and collection of fines; and any
    other form of assistance not prohibited by the laws of the State from
    whom the assistance is requested.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Treaty, and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     July 15, 2002.