[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 39891-39892] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-19870] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation Nos. 701-TA-373 & 731-TA-769-775 (Final) Stainless Steel Wire Rod From Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan; Notice of Commission Determination to Conduct a Portion of the Hearing in Camera AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission. ACTION: Closure of a portion of a Commission hearing to the public. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Upon request of certain respondents in the above-captioned final investigations, the Commission has unanimously determined to conduct a portion of its hearing scheduled for July 22, 1998 in camera. See Commission rules 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.35(b)(3) (19 CFR 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.35(b)(3)). The remainder of the hearing will be open to the public. The Commission unanimously has determined that the seven-day advance notice of the change to a meeting was not possible. See Commission rule 201.35(a), (c)(1) (19 CFR 201.35(a), (c)(1)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Sultan, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20436, telephone 202-205-3152. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter may be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission believes that respondents have justified the need for a closed session. A full discussion regarding the proprietary financial and trade data of all parties in these investigations can only occur if a portion of the hearing is held in camera. Because much of this information is not publicly available, any discussion of issues relating to this information will necessitate disclosure of business proprietary information (BPI). Thus, such discussions can only occur if a portion of the hearing is held in camera. The Commission has determined to deny, however, petitioners' request to allow representatives of the petitioning firms who are not on the administrative protective order to attend the closed session. The Commission believes that petitioners have not justified their request. In making this decision, the Commission nevertheless reaffirms its belief that whenever possible its business should be conducted in public. The hearing will include the usual public presentations by petitioners and by respondents, with questions from the Commission. In addition, the hearing will include an in camera session for a presentation by respondents that discusses the business proprietary information submitted in this proceeding, and for questions from the Commission relating to the BPI, followed by an in camera presentation by petitioners. For the in camera session the room will be cleared of all persons except those who have been granted access to BPI under a Commission administrative protective order (APO) and are included on the Commission's APO service list in this investigation. See 19 CFR 201.35(b)(1), (2). The Commission is allotting twenty minutes for each in camera session. The time for the parties' presentations and rebuttals in the in camera session will be taken from their respective overall allotments for the hearing. All persons planning to attend the in camera portions of the hearing should be prepared to present proper identification. [[Page 39892]] Authority: The General Counsel has certified, pursuant to Commission Rule 201.39 (19 CFR 201.39) that, in her opinion, a portion of the Commission's hearing in Stainless Steel Wire Rod from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-373 & 731-TA-767-775 (Final) may be closed to the public to prevent the disclosure of BPI. Issued: July 20, 1998. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-19870 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P