[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 36 (Monday, September 11, 1995)]
[Page 1504]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Philippines-United States Legal 
Assistance Treaty

September 5, 1995

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 the 
Philippines on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at 
Manila on November 13, 1994. 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 activity more effectively. The Treaty will enhance our ability 
to investigate and prosecute a wide variety of crimes, including drug 
trafficking 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 
of testimony or statements of persons; providing documents, records, and 
items of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying persons or 
items; transferring persons in custody for testimony or other purposes; 
executing requests for searches and seizures; assisting in proceedings 
related to 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,
September 5, 1995.