[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 237 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73509-73510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7237]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Paperwork Reduction Act Notice of Collection of Applications for 
Dispute Settlement Rosters

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments on the collection of applications.

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SUMMARY: Free trade agreements entered into by the United States 
require the establishment of lists or rosters of individuals that would 
be available to serve as panelists in dispute settlement proceedings. 
From time to time, the Office of the United States Trade Representative 
(USTR) will collect applications from people who wish to serve on those 
panels. USTR is soliciting comments from the public on this proposed 
collection of information prior to submitting a request for approval to 
the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act.

DATES: Comments regarding this collection of information should be 
received no later than February 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (i) electronically, to 
[email protected], Attn: ``FTA Applications Comments'' in the subject 
line, or (ii) by fax to Sandy McKinzy at 202-395-3640.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Apol, Office of the United 
States Trade Representative, (202) 395-9633.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Dispute Settlement Mechanisms of U.S. Free Trade Agreements

    U.S. free trade agreements set out detailed procedures for the 
resolution of disputes over compliance with the obligations set out in 
each agreement. Generally, dispute settlement involves three stages: 
(1) Lower level consultations between the disputing Parties to try to 
arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of the matter; (2) 
cabinet-level consultations; and, (3) resort to a neutral panel to make 
a determination as to whether a Party is in compliance with its 
obligations under the agreement. This panel is composed of individuals 
chosen by the Parties. The method by which the panel is selected varies 
between agreements. Some agreements require the establishment of a 
roster, from which panelists shall normally be selected. See e.g. Chile 
FTA, Article 22.7. Other agreements allow the Parties to select anyone 
as a panelist, after consultations, but provide for a contingent list 
from which panelists can be selected by lot, if the Parties do not 
otherwise select a panelist. See e.g. Singapore FTA, Article 20.4; 
Australia FTA, Article 21.7; Morocco FTA, Article 20.7.
    Eligible individuals who wish to be considered for the various 
rosters and lists will be invited to submit applications. Persons 
submitting applications may either send one copy by fax or transmit a 
copy electronically. Applications must be typewritten, and should be 
headed ``Application for Consideration as an FTA Panelist.'' 
Applications will be asked to include the following information:
    1. Name of the applicant.
    2. Business address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail 
address.
    3. Citizenship(s).
    4. Agreement or agreements for which the applicant wishes to be 
considered.
    5. Current employment, including title, description of 
responsibility, and name and address of employer.
    6. Relevant education and professional training.
    7. Relevant language fluency, written and spoken.
    8. Post-education employment history, including the dates and 
addresses of each prior position and a summary of responsibilities.
    9. Relevant professional affiliations and certifications, 
including, if any, current bar memberships in good standing.
    10. A list and copies of publications, testimony, and speeches, if 
any, concerning the relevant area of expertise. Judges or former judges 
should list relevant judicial decisions. Only one copy of publications, 
testimony, speeches, and decisions need be submitted.
    11. Summary of any current and past employment by, or consulting or 
other work for, the Government of the United States or for the 
government of the other Party to the Agreement for which you be to be 
considered (e.g. NAFTA, Singapore, Chile, Australia, or Morocco).

[[Page 73510]]

    12. The names and nationalities of all foreign principals for whom 
the applicant is currently or has previously been registered pursuant 
to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq., and the 
dates of all registration periods.
    13. A short statement of qualifications and availability for 
service on FTA dispute settlement panels, including information 
relevant to the applicant's familiarity with international trade law 
and willingness and ability to make time commitments necessary for 
service on panels.
    14. On a separate page, the names, addresses, telephone and fax 
numbers of three individuals willing to provide information concerning 
the applicant's qualifications for service, including the applicant's 
character, reputation, reliability, judgment, and familiarity with 
international trade law.
    15. Information regarding any specific skill or experience which 
may be relevant to a specific panel for which the applicant is 
applying.

Paperwork Burden

    It is estimated that approximately 150 individuals a year will 
submit applications for various panels and that it will take each 
applicant approximately three hours to compile their applications for a 
total paperwork burden of 450 hours a year. The recordkeeping cost of 
maintaining the information received will be minimal.

Request for Comments

    USTR request comments on this proposed collection of information 
including comments on the following questions: (1) Is the proposed 
collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the 
functions of USTR? (2) Is the estimated burden of the proposed 
collection of information accurate? (3) Can the utility and clarity of 
the information being collected be enhanced? and (4) Can the burden on 
the providers of the information be minimized.

David J. Apol,
Associate General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative.
[FR Doc. E5-7237 Filed 12-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W6-P