Message to the Senate Transmitting the Mexico-United States Legal Assistance Treaty

February 11, 1988

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 on Cooperation between the United States of America and the United Mexican States for Mutual Legal Assistance, signed at Mexico City on December 9, 1987.

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 more effectively trans-border criminal activities. The Treaty should be an effective tool to combat a wide variety of modern criminals including members of drug cartels, ``white-collar criminals,'' and terrorists. The Treaty is self-executing and utilizes existing statutory authority.

The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: (1) the taking of testimony or statements of witnesses; (2) the provision of documents, records, and evidence; (3) the execution of requests for searches and seizures; (4) the serving of documents; and (5) the provision of assistance in procedures regarding the immobilizing, securing, and forfeiture of the proceeds, fruits, and instrumentalities of crime.

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

Ronald Reagan

The White House,

February 11, 1988.