Statement on U.S.-Israel Treaty on Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters
(April 2, 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
State of Israel on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed
at Tel Aviv on January 26, 1998, and a related exchange of notes signed
the same date. 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
of modern criminals, including those involved in 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:
taking the testimony or statements of persons; providing documents,
records, and articles of evidence; serving documents; locating or identifying
persons or items; transferring persons in custody for testimony or for
other assistance; executing requests for searches and seizures; assisting
in proceedings related to seizure, immobilization and forfeiture of
assets, restitution, and collection of fines; executing procedures involving
experts; and providing 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, April 2, 1998.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |