[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60050-60052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26564]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Industry and Security

15 CFR Chapter VII

[Docket No. 031003247-3247-01]


Effects of Foreign Policy-Based Export Controls

AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments on foreign policy-based export controls.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reviewing the 
foreign policy-based export controls in the Export Administration 
Regulations to determine whether they should be modified, rescinded or 
extended. To

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help make these determinations, BIS is seeking comments on how existing 
foreign policy-based export controls have affected exporters and the 
general public.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (three copies) should be sent to Sheila 
Quarterman, Regulatory Policy Division, Bureau of Industry and 
Security, Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 273, Washington, DC 20044. 
Alternatively, comments may be e-mailed to Sheila Quarterman at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan Roberts, Director, Foreign Policy 
Controls Division, Bureau of Industry and Security, Telephone: (202) 
482-4252. Copies of the current Annual Foreign Policy Report to the 
Congress are available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2003/ForeignPolicyReport/Default.htm and copies may also be requested by 
calling the Office of Strategic Trade and Foreign Policy Controls.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current foreign policy-based export 
controls maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) are 
set forth in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), parts 742 
(CCL Based Controls), 744 (End-User and End-Use Based Controls) and 746 
(Embargoes and Special Country Controls). These controls apply to a 
range of countries, items and activities including: high performance 
computers (Sec.  742.12); certain general purpose microprocessors for 
``military end-uses'' and ``military end-users'' (Sec.  744.17); 
significant items (SI): hot section technology for the development, 
production, or overhaul of commercial aircraft engines, components, and 
systems (Sec.  742.14); encryption items (Sec.  742.15 and Sec.  
744.9); crime control and detection commodities (Sec.  742.7); 
specially designed implements of torture (Sec.  742.11); certain 
firearms included within the Inter-American Convention Against the 
Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, 
Explosives, and Other Related Materials (Sec.  742.17); regional 
stability commodities and equipment (Sec.  742.6); equipment and 
related technical data used in the design, development, production, or 
use of missiles (Sec.  742.5 and Sec.  744.3); chemical precursors and 
biological agents, associated equipment, technical data, and software 
related to the production of chemical and biological agents (Sec.  
742.2 and Sec.  744.4) and various chemicals included in those 
controlled pursuant to the Chemical Weapons Convention (Sec.  742.18); 
activities of U.S. persons in transactions related to missile 
technology or chemical or biological weapons proliferation in named 
countries (Sec.  744.6); nuclear propulsion (Sec.  744.5); aircraft and 
vessels (Sec.  744.7); embargoed countries (part 746); countries 
designated as supporters of acts of international terrorism (Sec. Sec.  
742.8, 742.9, 742.10, 742.19, 746.2, 746.3, 746.4, and 746.7); 
specified items intended for Libyan aircraft (Sec.  744.8); certain 
entities in Russia (Sec.  744.10); and individual terrorists and 
terrorist organizations (Sec. Sec.  744.12, 744.13 and Sec.  744.14). 
Attention is also given in this context to the controls on nuclear-
related commodities and technology (Sec. Sec.  742.3 and 744.2), which 
are, in part, implemented under section 309(c) of the Nuclear Non 
Proliferation Act.
    Under the provisions of section 6 of the Export Administration Act 
of 1979, as amended (EAA), export controls maintained for foreign 
policy purposes require annual extension. Section 6 of the EAA requires 
a report to Congress when foreign policy-based export controls are 
extended. The EAA expired on August 20, 2001. Executive Order 13222 of 
August 17, 2001 (3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 783 (2002)), which has been 
extended by successive Presidential Notices, the most recent being that 
of August 7, 2003 (68 FR 47833, August 11, 2003), continues the EAR 
and, to the extent permitted by law, the provisions of the EAA, in 
effect under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
1701-1706 (2000). The Department of Commerce, insofar as appropriate, 
is following the provisions of section 6 in reviewing foreign policy-
based export controls, requesting public comments on such controls, and 
submitting a report to Congress.
    In January 2003, the Secretary of Commerce, on the recommendation 
of the Secretary of State, extended for one year all foreign policy-
based export controls then in effect.
    To assure maximum public participation in the review process, 
comments are solicited on the extension or revision of the existing 
foreign policy-based export controls for another year. Among the 
criteria considered in determining whether to continue or revise U.S. 
foreign policy-based export controls are the following:
    1. The likelihood that such controls will achieve the intended 
foreign policy purpose, in light of other factors, including the 
availability from other countries of the goods, software or technology 
proposed for such controls;
    2. Whether the foreign policy purpose of such controls can be 
achieved through negotiations or other alternative means;
    3. The compatibility of the controls with the foreign policy 
objectives of the United States and with overall United States policy 
toward the country subject to the controls;
    4. Whether reaction of other countries to the extension of such 
controls by the United States is not likely to render the controls 
ineffective in achieving the intended foreign policy purpose or be 
counterproductive to United States foreign policy interests;
    5. The comparative benefits to U.S. foreign policy objectives 
versus the effect of the controls on the export performance of the 
United States, the competitive position of the United States in the 
international economy, the international reputation of the United 
States as a supplier of goods and technology; and
    6. The ability of the United States to enforce the controls 
effectively.
    BIS is particularly interested in the experience of individual 
exporters in complying with the proliferation controls, with emphasis 
on economic impact and specific instances of business lost to foreign 
competitors. BIS is also interested in industry information relating to 
the following:
    1. Information on the effect of foreign policy-based export 
controls on sales of U.S. products to third countries (i.e., those 
countries not targeted by sanctions), including the views of foreign 
purchasers or prospective customers regarding U.S. foreign policy-based 
export controls.
    2. Information on controls maintained by U.S. trade partners. For 
example, to what extent do they have similar controls on goods and 
technology on a worldwide basis or to specific destinations?
    3. Information on licensing policies or practices by our foreign 
trade partners which are similar to U.S. foreign policy-based export 
controls, including license review criteria, use of conditions, 
requirements for pre and post shipment verifications (preferably 
supported by examples of approvals, denials and foreign regulations).
    4. Suggestions for revisions to foreign policy-based export 
controls that would (if there are any differences) bring them more into 
line with multilateral practice.
    5. Comments or suggestions as to actions that would make 
multilateral controls more effective.
    6. Information that illustrates the effect of foreign policy-based 
export controls on the trade or acquisitions by intended targets of the 
controls.

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    7. Data or other information as to the effect of foreign policy-
based export controls on overall trade, either at the firm level or at 
the level of individual industrial sectors.
    8. Suggestions as to how to measure the effect of foreign policy-
based export controls on trade.
    9. Information on the use of foreign policy-based export controls 
on targeted countries, entities, or individuals.
    BIS is also interested in comments relating generally to the 
extension or revision of existing foreign policy-based export controls.
    Parties submitting comments are asked to be as specific as 
possible. All comments received before the close of the comment period 
will be considered by BIS in reviewing the controls and developing the 
report to Congress.
    All information relating to the notice will be a matter of public 
record and will be available for public inspection and copying. In the 
interest of accuracy and completeness, BIS requires written comments. 
Oral comments must be followed by written memoranda, which will also be 
a matter of public record and will be available for public review and 
copying.
    Copies of the public record concerning these regulations may be 
requested from: Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 6883, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; (202) 482-0637. This 
component does not maintain a separate public inspection facility. 
Requesters should first view BIS's Web site (which can be reached 
through http://www.bis.doc.gov). If requesters cannot access BIS's Web 
site, please call the number above for assistance.

Matthew S. Borman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-26564 Filed 10-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-33-P