[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 143 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 44047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19024]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-507-501]


Notice of Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Review: In-shell Pistachios from the Islamic Republic of Iran

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

ACTION: Notice of Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Review.

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SUMMARY: On April 16, 2003, the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
initiated an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on 
in-shell (raw) pistachios from the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran), 
covering one manufacturer/exporter of the subject merchandise, 
Rafsanjan Pistachio Producers Cooperative (RPPC), and the period 
January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002. See Initiation of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 68 FR 19498 
(April 21, 2003). This review has now been rescinded due to 
petitioners'\1\ withdrawal of their request for an administrative 
review.
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    \1\ Petitioners are the California Pistachios Commission (CPC) 
and its members.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 25, 2003

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darla Brown or Eric B. Greynolds, AD/
CVD Enforcement, Office VI, Group II, Import Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Room 4012, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-2849 or (202) 482-6071, 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 31, 2003, the Department received a timely request from 
the CPC for an administrative review of the countervailing duty order 
on in-shell (raw) pistachios from Iran. On April 16, 2003, the 
Department initiated an administrative review of this order for the 
period January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002. On July 9, 2003, the 
CPC submitted a timely letter requesting to withdraw their request for 
the above-referenced administrative review.

Scope of the Review

    The product covered by this administrative review is in-shell (raw) 
pistachio nuts from which the hulls have been removed, leaving the 
inner hard shells and edible meat, as currently classifiable in the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the United States (HTSUS) under item 
number 0802.50.20.00. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for 
convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope 
of this proceeding is dispositive.

Rescission of Review

    On July 9, 2003, the CPC submitted a letter requesting to withdraw 
its request for the above-referenced administrative review. See letter 
from the CPC to the Department dated July 9, 2003, on file in the 
Central Records Unit, Room B-099, main building of the Department of 
Commerce. This letter was timely filed within 90 days of the 
publication notice of initiation of the requested review.
    Having accepted the CPC's request, the Department hereby rescinds 
the administrative review of in-shell (raw) pistachios from Iran for 
the period January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2002. See 19 CFR section 
351.213(d)(1). The Department will issue appropriate assessment 
instructions to the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection 
(Customs) within 15 days of publication of this notice.
    This notice is in accordance with section 751(a)(1) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, as amended, and section 351.213(d) of the Department's 
regulations.

    Dated: July 21, 2003.
Holly A. Kuga,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-19024 Filed 7-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S