    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 10 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
    [Page 284]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Hong Kong-United States
    Extradition Agreement

    March 3, 1997

    To the Congress of the United States:

        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification as a treaty, I transmit herewith the Agreement Between the
    Government of the United States of America and the Government of Hong
    Kong for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders signed at Hong Kong on
    December 20, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Agreement''). In
    addition, I transmit for the information of the Senate, the report of
    the Department of State with respect to the Agreement. As a treaty, this
    Agreement will not require implementing legislation.
        This Agreement will, upon entry into force, enhance cooperation
    between the law enforcement communities of the United States and Hong
    Kong, and will provide a framework and basic protections for
    extraditions after the reversion of Hong Kong to the sovereignty of the
    People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997. Given the absence of an
    extradition treaty with the People's Republic of China, this Treaty
    would provide the means to continue an extradition relationship with
    Hong Kong after reversion and avoid a gap in law enforcement. It will
    thereby make a significant contribution to international law enforcement
    efforts.
        The provisions in this Agreement follow generally the form and
    content of extradition treaties recently concluded by the United States.
    In addition, the Agreement contains several provisions specially
    designed in light of the particular status of Hong Kong. The Agreement's
    basic protections for fugitives are also made expressly applicable to
    fugitives surrendered by the two parties before the new treaty enters
    into force.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Agreement and give its advice and consent to its ratification as
    a treaty.
                                                William J. Clinton
    The White House,
    March 3, 1997.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 5.