    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 36 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
    [Pages 1282-1283]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Barbados-United States Mutual
    Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters and Documentation

    September 3, 1997

    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 Barbados on Mutual
    Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Bridgetown on February
    28, 1996. 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. The Treaty should be an effective
    tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of crimes, including
    drug trafficking 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
    articles of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying
    persons; 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 rendering any other form of assistance not

    [[Page 1283]]

    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 3, 1997.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    September 4.