[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1330-1331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-692]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comments on Short Supply Request under the 
United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

January 7, 2002.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA)

ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a request for a 
determination that yarns of combed cashmere, cashmere blends and camel 
hair cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner under the CBTPA.

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SUMMARY: On January 4, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a petition 
from Warren Corporation, alleging that yarn of combed cashmere, 
cashmere blends, and camel hair, classified in subheading 5108.20.60 of 
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be 
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner. Warren Corporation requests that apparel articles of U.S. 
formed fabric of such yarn be eligible for preferential treatment under 
the CBTPA. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in 
particular with regard to whether yarn of combed cashmere, cashmere 
blends, or camel hair can be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by 
January 25, 2002 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of 
Textile Agreements, room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 
14th

[[Page 1331]]

and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact: Martin J. Walsh, 
International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II) of the CBTPA, as added by 
Section 211(a) of the CBTPA; Section 6 of Executive Order No. 13191 
of January 17, 2001.

Background

    The CBTPA provides for quota- and duty-free treatment for 
qualifying textile and apparel products. Such treatment is generally 
limited to products manufactured from yarns or fabrics formed in the 
United States or a beneficiary country. The CBTPA also authorizes 
quota- and duty-free treatment for apparel articles that are both cut 
(or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more CBTPA 
beneficiary countries from fabric or yarn that is not formed in the 
United States or a beneficiary country, if it has been determined that 
such fabric or yarns cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. In Executive Order No. 13191, 
the President delegated to CITA the authority to determine whether 
yarns or fabrics cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner under the CBTPA and directed 
CITA to establish procedures to ensure appropriate public participation 
in any such determination. On March 6, 2001, CITA published procedures 
in the Federal Register that it will follow in considering requests. 
(66 FR 13502).
    On January 4, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
Warren Corporation, alleging that yarn of combed cashmere, cashmere 
blends, and camel hair, classified in HTSUS subheading 5108.20.60 
cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in 
a timely manner and requesting quota- and duty-free treatment under the 
CBTPA for apparel articles that are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and 
sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more CBTPA beneficiary countries 
from U.S. formed fabric of such yarn.
    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether this yarn can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also 
relevant is whether other yarns that are supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable 
for the yarn for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be 
received no later than January 25, 2002. Interested persons are invited 
to submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman, 
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, room 3100, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
DC 20230.
    If a comment alleges that yarn of combed cashmere, cashmere blends 
or camel hair can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner, CITA will closely review any supporting 
documentation, such as a signed statement by a manufacturer of the yarn 
stating that it produces the yarn that is in the subject of the 
request, including the quantities that can be supplied and the time 
necessary to fill an order, as well as any relevant information 
regarding past production.
    CITA will protect any business confidential information that is 
marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent 
permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-
confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of 
any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3100 in 
the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are 
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential 
summary.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
[FR Doc.02-692 Filed 1-8-02; 11:06 am]
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