[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[May 22, 1998]
[Page 832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Transmitting the Czech Republic-United States 
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty With Documentation
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 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 assistance 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.