[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 53267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17745]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5164]


Notice of Meeting; Meeting on Possible Mandate Expansion for the 
International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO)

    The Department of State announces a meeting to hear public views on 
issues related to the possible expansion of the mandate of the 
International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), to include new 
oversight and regulatory responsibilities that may affect U.S. and non-
U.S. mobile satellite services providers. The IMSO is convening an 
Extraordinary Assembly of Parties December 13-18, 2005, for the member 
governments to consider and act on proposals to amend the 
intergovernmental IMSO Convention to expand the IMSO's oversight 
authority. Presently, this authority applies exclusively to Inmarsat 
plc. Proposals have been made to extend oversight to all mobile 
satellite service providers, specifically in the context of provision 
of capacity for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. 
Additionally, discussion has emerged about possible roles the IMSO may 
play in the creation of a new vessel ``Long Range Identification and 
Tracking'' (LRIT) system being developed to enhance maritime security, 
and suggestions that ``the organization may assume any other functions 
or duties'' upon request and approval. Prior to the Assembly meeting, 
the IMSO Advisory Committee will meet October 4-5, 2005, and the 
International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee will 
have an intercessional meeting to discuss LRIT October 17-19, 2005. 
Both of these meetings may impact proposals and decisions of the IMSO 
Assembly and, accordingly, public views and advice are being sought 
well in advance of the IMSO Assembly.
    Background documentation may be found on the Department's Web site: 
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/cip/imso. The Department of State's public 
meeting will take place on Thursday, September 15, 2005 from 2 p.m. to 
5 p.m. at the Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters building, 2201 
C St. NW., Washington, DC. (Please note that due to security 
considerations, parking in the vicinity of the building is extremely 
limited.) Members of the public are encouraged to participate and join 
in discussions, subject to the discretion of the moderator. Persons 
wishing to make formal presentations, should provide advance notice to 
the contacts below. Time may be limited. Persons planning to attend 
this meeting should send the following data by fax to (202) 647-5957 or 
e-mail to [email protected] not later than 72 hours before the meeting: 
(1) Name of the meeting, (2) name of participant, (3) organizational 
affiliation, (4) date of birth, (5) citizenship, and (6) either Social 
Security or Passport number. A valid government issued photo ID must be 
presented to gain entrance to the Department of State.

    Dated: August 24, 2005.
Richard Lamb,
Foreign Affairs Officer, International Communications and Information 
Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-17745 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
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