[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FILING OF ARTICLE 84 WITH ICAO

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I am pleased that the State 
Department has filed an Article 84 petition with the International 
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This will provide the basis for the 
United States to demonstrate that the European Union's (EU) hushkit 
regulation is not in accordance with international noise standards set 
by ICAO and is essentially targeting U.S. aerospace. Already this 
unfair regulation has hurt U.S. aerospace companies and workers because 
of the uncertainty it has introduced into the marketplace. Accordingly, 
it is imperative that the Administration pursue this Article 84 
forcefully to show that we will not stand for discriminatory rules that 
hurt U.S. interests. If we do not make this point clearly, strongly, 
and now, we will have done nothing to prevent future efforts by the EU 
to act without regard to international standards and in ways designed 
to harm the United States' longstanding primacy in aerospace.
  Filing an Article 84 is the beginning of what may be a long process. 
The mere fact that it may take a period of time should not serve as an 
inducement to the Administration to seek to shortcut the ICAO process 
by entering into a negotiated settlement that does not fully protect 
our aerospace industry and workforce. Further, we must make clear that 
the principle of adhering to international standards is essential in an 
industry as global as aviation. If we fail to demonstrate the 
seriousness with which we take this matter, we will inevitably have 
done nothing more than encourage the EU to try such incursions in the 
future.
  I can assure you that I and many others will be working to see that 
the right message is delivered on this critical matter.

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