[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22548]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[A-423-808, A-122-830, A-475-822, A-791-805, A-580-831 and A-583-830]


Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South 
Africa, South Korea and Taiwan; Notice of Postponement of Preliminary 
Determinations in Antidumping Duty Investigations

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determinations for 
Antidumping Duty Investigations of Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from 
Belgium, Canada, Italy, South Africa, South Korea and Taiwan.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is postponing 
the preliminary determinations of the antidumping duty investigations 
of stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South 
Africa, South Korea and Taiwan. These investigations cover 10 
manufacturers and exporters of the subject merchandise during the 
period January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 21, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Presing (Belgium), at (202) 482-
0194; Maureen McPhillips (Canada), at (202) 482-0193; Rick Johnson 
(Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan), at (202) 482-3818; Robert James 
(Republic of South Africa) at (202) 482-5222, Import Administration, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.

POSTPONEMENT OF PRELIMINARY DETERMINATIONS: On April 20, 1998, the 
Department initiated antidumping duty investigations of imports of 
stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium, Canada, Italy, South 
Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan. The notice of initiation stated that 
we would issue our preliminary determinations by September 8, 1998 (63 
FR 20585; April 27, 1998).
    On July 28, 1998, petitioners made a timely request pursuant to 19 
CFR 351.205(e) of the Department's regulations for a 30 day 
postponement, pursuant to section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (the Act), as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. 
Petitioners stated that a postponement of the preliminary 
determinations is necessary in order to give the Department time to 
address the many issues raised by these investigations. For example, 
petitioners indicated that they may, if warranted, file cost 
allegations in cases currently not subject to cost allegations. They 
added that if such allegations are filed, the additional time would 
benefit all parties. Indeed, on July 28, 1998, petitioners filed a cost 
allegation against a respondent from Canada.
    Additionally, we have determined that these investigations are 
extraordinarily complicated and that additional time is necessary 
beyond the 30 days requested by petitioners for the Department to make 
its preliminary determinations. Among other considerations, there is a 
large number of respondents and a complex model match program.
    In the investigation of stainless steel plate in coils from Italy, 
the respondent has informed the Department that it is not cooperating 
in the investigation; as a result, the Department will have no choice 
but to use adverse facts available in its determination. Although no 
additional time is likely to be needed for the Department to prepare 
its preliminary determination in the Italy investigation, the 
Department is postponing the preliminary determination in this case as 
well so that all of the antidumping cases will remain on the same 
schedule.
    Therefore, the Department is postponing the preliminary 
determinations of the aforementioned investigations 50 days, to October 
27, 1998. See Memorandum from Joseph A. Spetrini to Robert S. LaRussa, 
which is on file in Room B-099 at the Main Commerce Building.
    This notice is published pursuant to section 733(c)(2) of the Act 
and 19 CFR 351.205(f).

    Dated: August 14, 1998.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, AD/CVD Enforcement Group III.
[FR Doc. 98-22548 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P