27 May 1998
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aaces002.html

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[Congressional Record: May 22, 1998 (Senate)]
[Page S5485]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr22my98-326]


 REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NOS. 105-47 AND 105-
                                   48

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed in the following
treaties transmitted to the Senate on May 22, 1998, by the President of
the United States:
  No. 1, the Treaty with Czech Republic on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters, Treaty Document No. 105-47;
  No. 2, the Inter-American Convention on Sea Turtles, Treaty Document
Number 105-48.
  I further ask that the treaties be considered as having been read the
first time; that they be referred, with accompanying papers, to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and ordered to be printed; and that the
President's messages be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The messages of the President are as follows:

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 United States
of America and the Czech Republic on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on February 4, 1998. 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 terrorism, other violent crimes, drug trafficking, money
laundering, and other ``white-collar'' crime. The Treaty is self-
executing.
  The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal
matters. Mutual assist<divide>ance available under the Treaty includes:
locating or identifying persons or items; serving documents; taking
testimony or statements of persons; transferring persons in custody for
testimony or other purposes; providing documents, records, and articles
of evidence; executing requests for searches and seizures; immobilizing
assets; assisting in proceedings related to forfeiture of assets,
restitution, and criminal fines; and providing any other assistance
consistent with 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, May 22, 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 Inter-American Convention for the
Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, with Annexes, done at
Caracas December 1, 1996, (the ``Convention''), which was signed by the
United States, subject to ratification, on December 13, 1996. I also
transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the
Secretary of State with respect to the Convention.
  All species of sea turtles found in the Western Hemisphere are
threatened or endangered, some critically so. Because sea turtles
migrate extensively, effective protection and conservation of these
species requires cooperation among States within the sea turtles'
migratory range. Although the international community has banned trade
in sea turtles and sea turtle products pursuant to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the
Convention I am transmitting is the first multilateral agreement that
actually sets standards to protect and conserve sea turtles and their
habitats.
  In section 609 of Public Law 101-162, the Congress called for the
negotiation of multilateral agreements for the protection and
conservation of sea turtles. In close cooperation with Mexico, the
United States led a 3-year effort to negotiate the Convention with
other Latin American and Caribbean nations. Once ratified and
implemented, the Convention will enhance the conservation of this
hemisphere's sea turtles and harmonize standards for their protection.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to
the Convention and give its advice and consent to its ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.
  The White House, May 22, 1998.

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