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“REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 111-1” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S630-S631 on Jan. 15, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 111-1
Mr. REID. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on January 15, 2009, by President Bush: Tax Convention with Malta, Treaty Document No. 111-1. I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The message of the President is as follows:
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Malta for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Income, signed on August 8, 2008, at Valletta (the ``proposed Convention''). I also transmit for the information of the Senate the report of the Department of State, which includes an Overview of the proposed Convention.
The proposed Convention provides for reduced withholding rates on cross-border payments of dividends, interest, royalties, and other income. The proposed Convention contains a restrictive provision designed to prevent ``treaty shopping,'' which is the inappropriate use of a tax treaty by third-country residents. The proposed Convention also provides for the exchange of information between the competent authorities to facilitate the administration of each country's tax laws.
I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the proposed Convention and give its advice and consent to ratification.
George W. Bush. The White House, January 15, 2009.
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