[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 27807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12857]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. AA1921-115 (Review)]


Synthetic Methionine From Japan; 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.

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SUMMARY: Upon request of Japanese producer Sumitomo Chemical Co., 
Limited (``Sumitomo''), the Commission has determined to conduct a 
portion of its hearing in the above-captioned investigations scheduled 
for May 18, 1999, in camera. See Commission rules 207.24(d), 201.13(m) 
and 201.36(b)(4) (19 C.F.R. 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4)). The 
remainder of the hearing will be open to the public. The Commission 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 C.F.R. 
201.35(a), (c)(1)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea C. Casson, Office of General 
Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, telephone 202-205-3105, 
e-mail [email protected]. 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 Sumitomo has 
justified the need for a closed session. Sumitomo seeks a closed 
session to allow for a discussion of it business operations and those 
of the domestic industry. In this investigation, the aggregate data of 
the domestic industry is business proprietary information (BPI). 
Because Sumitomo's discussion of its own operations and of the domestic 
industry's data will necessitate disclosure of business proprietary 
information (BPI), it can only occur if a portion of the hearing is 
held in camera. In making this decision, the Commission nevertheless 
reaffirms its belief that whenever possible its business should be 
conducted in public.
    The hearing will begin with a public presentation by the parties 
opposing revocation of the antidumping duty order (the domestic 
producers) and the party supporting revocation (Sumitomo), with 
questions from the Commission. In addition, the hearing will include a 
15-minute in camera session for a confidential presentation by the 
Sumitomo and for questions from the Commission relating to the BPI, 
followed by a 15-minute in camera rebuttal presentation by the domestic 
producers. For any 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 C.F.R. 
201.35(b)(1), (2). 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.

    Authority: The General Counsel has certified, pursuant to 
Commission Rule 201.39 (19 C.F.R. 201.39) that, in her opinion, a 
portion of the Commission's hearing in Synthetic Methionine from 
Japan, Inv. No. AA1921-115 (Review), may be closed to the public to 
prevent the disclosure of BPI.

    Issued: May 17, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-12857 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P