[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 25 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Page 848]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol Amending the Belgium-
United States Taxation Convention

June 21, 2007

To the Senate of the United States:

    I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, 
the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America 
and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium for the Avoidance of Double 
Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on 
Income, and accompanying Protocol, signed on November 27, 2006, at 
Brussels (the ``proposed Treaty''). The proposed Treaty will replace the 
existing income tax treaty between the two countries that was concluded 
in 1970 and amended by protocol in 1987. Also transmitted for the 
information of the Senate is the report of the Department of State with 
respect to the proposed Treaty.

    The proposed Treaty eliminates the withholding tax on certain cross-
border dividend payments, including dividend payments to pension funds. 
The proposed Treaty also provides for mandatory arbitration of certain 
cases brought before the competent authorities. This provision is only 
the second of its kind in a proposed U.S. tax treaty. In addition, the 
proposed Treaty includes provisions, consistent with current U.S. tax-
treaty policy, that are designed to prevent so-called treaty shopping.

    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to the proposed Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                George W. Bush

 The White House,
 June 21, 2007.