[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 13 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Pages 520-521]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting the Venezuela-United States Treaty 
on Mutual Legal Assistance and Documentation

March 27, 1998

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 
Venezuela on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at 
Caracas on October 12, 1997. 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 for the purpose of 
countering criminal activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an 
effective tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety

[[Page 521]]

of modern criminals, including those involved in terrorism, other 
violent crimes, drug trafficking, and money laundering and other white 
collar crime. The Treaty is self-executing, and will not require new 
legislation.
    The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 
matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: (1) 
locating or identifying persons or items; (2) serving documents; (3) 
taking testimony or statements of persons; (4) transferring persons in 
custody, or persons subject to criminal proceedings, for testimony or 
other purposes; (5) providing documents, records, files, and articles of 
evidence; (6) executing requests for searches and seizures; (7) 
assisting in proceedings related to immobilization and forfeiture of 
assets, restitution, and collection of fines; (8) executing procedures 
involving experts; and (9) any other form of assistance appropriate 
under 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,
March 27, 1998.