Specifically, for the condition in the preceding paragraph to be satisfied, more than 50 percent of the rights to income and other economic rights in the person claiming treaty benefits must be owned by one or more of the listed persons. In the case of a trust claiming treaty benefits, for example, more than 50 percent of the interests held by beneficiaries of the trust must be held by listed persons for the condition to be satisfied; the identities of the legal owners of the trust are irrelevant for this purpose.

If this is in accord with your understanding, I would appreciate a confirmation from you to this effect.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

I confirm this understanding on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.

I take the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.

HERMAN DEHENNIN,
Ambassador of Belgium.

O

TREATY WITH BELGIUM ON MUTUAL LEGAL
ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS

MESSAGE

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS, SIGNED AT WASHINGTON ON JANUARY 28, 1988

MARCH 29, 1988.-Treaty was read the first time, and together with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate

19-118

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1988

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

THE WHITE HOUSE, March 29, 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 between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Belgium on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on January 28, 1988. 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 criminal activities. The Treaty should be an effective tool to prosecute 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 locating, tracing, immobilizing, seizing, and forfeiting proceeds of crime, and restitution to the victims 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.