[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43585-43586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16374]


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Department of Commerce

International Trade Administration


Public Hearing on the Addendum to the Agreement Concerning Trade 
in Certain Steel Products from the Russian Federation

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 125(f) of the Trade Act of 1974, the 
Department of Commerce has scheduled a public hearing on a potential 
change to the import restrictions on semifinished steel products from 
the Russian Federation to the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 28, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
the public hearing and/or public comments, contact Carrie Blozy at 
(202) 482-0165. All other questions should be directed to Edward Yang 
at (202) 482-0406.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 1, 1990, pursuant to Title IV of the 
Trade Act of 1974 (the Trade Act), the Governments of the United States 
of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics entered into the 
Agreement on Trade Relations Between the United States of America and 
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. On June 17, 1992, this 
agreement became effective between the United States of America and the 
Russian Federation (``the 1992 Agreement''). Article XI of the 1992 
Agreement provides that the Parties will consult with a view toward 
finding a means of remedying or preventing actual or threatened market 
disruption, and authorizes the Parties to take action, including the 
imposition of import restrictions, to achieve this goal.
    On July 12, 1999, the United States Department of Commerce and the 
Ministry of Trade of the Russian Federation, (now the Ministry of 
Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation), concluded 
the Agreement Concerning Trade in Certain Steel Products From the 
Russian Federation (``the 1999 Agreement'') establishing import 
limitations on certain Russian steel products. On July 22, 1999, the 
President proclaimed the imposition of restraints on imports of certain 
steel products from the Russian Federation consistent with the 1999 
Agreement. See Proclamation 7210 of July 22, 1999, 64 Fed.Reg. 40723 
(July 27, 1999). On March 5, 2001, the President of the United States 
signed into effect the comprehensive relief program on steel imports 
pursuant to section 201 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1974 (``201 Relief 
Program''). Recognizing that differences exist between the Tariff Rate 
Quotas established by the 201 Relief Program, and the export limits 
contained in the 1999 Agreement, the Parties agreed, ad referendum, to 
an Addendum to the Agreement Concerning Trade in Certain Steel Products 
From the Russian Federation (``Addendum'').
    The United States is considering the acceptance of the Addendum and 
consequent modification to Proclamation 7210 in order to modify the 
terms of the 1999 Agreement with regards to semifinished steel products 
from the Russian Federation. This Addendum would modify the export 
limit, export limit period and reporting periods of the 1999 Agreement 
to comply with the 201 Relief Program. All other provisions of the 1999 
Agreement not affected by this Addendum remain in effect and unchanged.
    Section 125(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. Sec. 2135(c)) provides 
that whenever the United States, acting in pursuance of any of its 
rights or obligations under any trade agreement entered into pursuant 
to the Trade Act, modifies any obligation with respect to the trade of 
any foreign country or instrumentality, the President is authorized to 
proclaim increased duties or other import restrictions, to the extent, 
at such times, and for such periods as he deems necessary or 
appropriate, in order to exercise the rights or fulfill the obligations 
of the United States.
    Section 125(f) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. Sec. 2135(f)) requires 
the President to provide the opportunity for interested parties to 
present views at a public hearing prior to taking action pursuant to 
section 125(b), (c), or (d) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. Sec.  Sec. 2135 
(b), (c), or (d). Such an opportunity is being provided by the holding 
of such a hearing on July 17, 2002, at 10:00am, at the United States 
Department of Commerce. The Department has published a copy of the 
Addendum on its Import Administration website (http://www.ia.ita.doc.gov/newitems.htm).
    Notice of Public Hearing: Pursuant to section 125(f) of the Trade 
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. Sec. 2135(f)), the International Trade 
Administration of the Department of Commerce, has scheduled a public 
hearing beginning at 10 am, on July 17, 2002, at Room (TBA) of the 
Herbert C. Hoover Building, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and 
Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC.
    Requests to Present Oral Testimony: Parties wishing to testify 
orally at the hearing must provide written notification of their 
intention not later than 5:00 p.m., July 8, 2002, to Faryar Shirzad, 
Assistant Secretary for Import

[[Page 43586]]

Administration: Public Hearing on the Addendum to the Agreement 
Concerning Trade in Certain Steel Products from the Russian Federation, 
Room 3099B, Herbert C. Hoover Building, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
14th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The notification should 
include (1) the name of the person presenting the testimony, their 
address and telephone number; (2) the organization or company they are 
representing, if appropriate; (3) a list of issues to be addressed; and 
(4), if applicable, any request for an extension of the time limitation 
for the oral presentation. This notification may be submitted via 
facsimile to Vicki Sullivan at (202) 273-0957. Those parties presenting 
oral testimony must also submit a written brief, in 20 copies, not 
later than 10:00am, July 15, 2002, to the above mentioned address. 
Hearing presentations should be limited to no more than five minutes to 
allow for possible questions from the Chairman and the panel. 
Additional time for oral presentations may be granted as time and the 
number of participants permit. Any business proprietary material must 
be clearly marked as such on the cover page (or letter) and succeeding 
pages. Such submissions must be accompanied by a public summary 
thereof.
    Written Briefs: Those persons not wishing to participate in the 
hearing may submit written comments, in 20 types copies, not later than 
10:00am, July 15, 2002, to Faryar Shirzad, Assistant Secretary for 
Import Administration: In re the Addendum to the Agreement Concerning 
Trade in Certain Steel Products from the Russian Federation, Room 
3099B, Herbert C. Hoover Building, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. Comments should state 
clearly the position taken and describe with specificity, the evidence 
supporting that position. Any business proprietary material must be 
clearly marked as such on the cover page (or letter) and succeeding 
pages. Such submissions must be accompanied by a public summary 
thereof. Public submissions will be available for public inspection at 
the Import Administration Central Records Unit. An appointment to 
review the file may be made by contacting Thomas Hartley at (202) 482-
1248.

    Dated: June 21, 2002
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-16374 Filed 6-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S