    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [September 29, 2006]
    [Pages 1738-1739]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol Amending the Finland-
    United States Taxation Convention
    September 29, 2006

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification,
    a Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United
    States of America and the Government of the Republic of Finland for the
    Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with
    Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed at Helsinki May 31,
    2006 (the ``Protocol''). Also transmitted for the information of the
    Senate is the report of the Department of State with respect to the
    Protocol.
        The Protocol eliminates the withholding tax on certain cross-border
    dividend payments. Like a number of recent U.S. tax agreements, the
    proposed Protocol provides for the elimination of the withholding tax on
    dividends arising from certain direct investments and cross-border
    dividend payments to pension funds. The Protocol also eliminates the
    withholding tax on cross-border royalty payments. In addition, the
    Protocol modernizes the Convention to bring it into closer conformity
    with current U.S. tax-treaty policy, including strengthening the
    treaty's provisions preventing so-called treaty shopping.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Protocol

    [[Page 1739]]

    and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                              George W. Bush

    The White House,

    September 29, 2006.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 2.