[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33679-33680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14181]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-791-810]


Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From South Africa: 
Notice of Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review for 
the Period January 1, 2001, Through December 31, 2001

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

SUMMARY: In response to a timely request from Bethlehem Steel 
Corporation, National Steel Corporation, and United States Steel 
Corporation (petitioners), the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
initiated an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on 
certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from South Africa, 
covering the period January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001. See 
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 68 FR 3009 (January 22, 
2003). Because petitioners have submitted a withdrawal of their request 
for an administrative review, and there was no request for review from 
any other interested party, the Department is rescinding this review in 
accordance with Sec.  351.213(d)(1) of the Department's regulations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 5, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Hoadley or Julio Fernandez, AD/
CVD Enforcement, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
3148 or (202) 482-0961, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 23, 2002, the Department published a notice of 
opportunity to request an administrative review of the countervailing 
duty order on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from South 
Africa. See Notice of Opportunity to Request Administrative Review of 
Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended 
Investigation (67 FR 78219). On December 31, 2002, the Department 
received a timely request from petitioners for an administrative review 
covering the period from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001, in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(1).
    The Department published a notice of initiation of this 
countervailing duty administrative review on January 22, 2003. See 
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 68 FR 3009 (January 22, 
2003). This review covered two manufacturers/exporters of the subject 
merchandise, Iscor, Ltd. and Saldanha Steel, Ltd., for the period 
January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. On April 24, 2003, 
petitioners withdrew their request for review.
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d), the Department will rescind 
an administrative review, ``if a party that requested the review 
withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication of 
notice of initiation of the requested review.'' See 19 CFR 
351.213(d)(1). The Department is authorized to extend this deadline if 
it decides that it is reasonable to do so. Although petitioners 
submitted their withdrawal request 92 days after the initiation 
publication date, i.e., after the 90-day period had expired, the 
Department has decided that it is reasonable to extend the deadline and 
accept the request. Petitioners were the

[[Page 33680]]

only parties to request this review, and the review has not progressed 
beyond a point where it would have been unreasonable to allow 
petitioners to withdraw their request for review. See Certain In-Shell 
Raw Pistachios from Iran: Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, 68 FR 16764 (April 7, 2003). Additionally, we conclude that 
this withdrawal does not constitute an ``abuse'' of our procedures. See 
Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 
27317 (May 19, 1997). Thus, the Department is rescinding the 
countervailing duty administrative review on certain hot-rolled carbon 
steel flat products from South Africa for the period January 1, 2001 
through December 31, 2001. The Department will issue appropriate 
assessment instructions to the United States Bureau of Customs and 
Border Protection.
    This notice serves as a reminder to parties subject to 
administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility 
concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written 
notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or 
conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to 
comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable 
violation.
    This determination and notice are issued and published in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4) and sections 751(a)(1) and 
777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: May 30, 2003.
Barbara E. Tillman,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Group III.
[FR Doc. 03-14181 Filed 6-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P