[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11525-11526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5775]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Public Hearing on the Second 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 potential 
changes to the import restrictions on pig iron, billets and 
semifinished steel products from the Russian Federation to the United 
States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 11, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Kemp, (202) 482-4037; or Edward 
Yang, (202) 482-0406. Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

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 FR 40723 (July 
27, 1999). On November 19, 2002, the Parties signed an Addendum to the 
Agreement Concerning Trade in Certain

[[Page 11526]]

Steel Products From the Russian Federation (``First Addendum''). On 
February 24, 2003, the Parties agreed, ad referendum, to a proposed 
Second Addendum to the Agreement Concerning Trade in Certain Steel 
Products From the Russian Federation (``Second Addendum'').
    The United States is considering the acceptance of the Second 
Addendum and consequent modification to Proclamation 7210 in order to 
modify the terms of the 1999 Agreement with regards to pig iron, 
certain steel billets, and certain other semifinished steel products 
from the Russian Federation. This Addendum would modify the export 
limits, export limit periods and reporting periods of the 1999 
Agreement for these three products. All other provisions of the 1999 
Agreement and the First Addendum not affected by this Second Addendum 
remain in effect and unchanged.
    Section 125(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 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. 
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. 2135 (b), (c), or (d)). Such an opportunity is being provided by 
the holding of such a hearing on March 26, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., at the 
United States Department of Commerce. The Department has published a 
copy of the Second Addendum on its Import Administration Web site 
(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. 
2135(f)), the International Trade Administration of the Department of 
Commerce, has scheduled a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m., on March 
26, 2003, 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 p.m., March 19, 2003, to Faryar Shirzad, 
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration: Public Hearing on the 
Second 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 Jean 
Kemp or Ed Yang at (202) 482-0865. Those parties presenting oral 
testimony must also submit a written brief, in 20 copies, not later 
than 10 a.m., March 24, 2003, 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 typed copies, not later than 10 a.m., March 24, 
2003, to Faryar Shirzad, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration: 
Re: Second 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: March 4, 2003.
Faryar Shirzad,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-5775 Filed 3-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P