[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 34071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16639]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Public Notice 6693]


Notice of Public Meeting and Solicitation of Written Comments

    Title: Written Comments Concerning the Administration's Review of 
the U.S. Model Bilateral Investment Treaty.
SUMMARY: The Department of State and the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative (USTR), co-leads of the U.S. bilateral investment 
treaty (BIT) program, are soliciting written comments and will hold a 
public meeting concerning the Administration's review of the U.S. model 
BIT. The review is intended to ensure that the model BIT is consistent 
with the public interest and the overall U.S. economic agenda. The key 
question is whether the current model text, last updated in 2004, 
achieves these objectives or whether there are changes that should be 
made.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on July 29, 2009, from 9 a.m.-12 
noon and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (or until business is concluded) in the Loy 
Henderson Auditorium of the Harry S. Truman Building of the Department 
of State (Truman Building). Representatives from the Department of 
State and USTR will chair the meeting. To provide for efficient conduct 
of the meeting, persons wishing to speak at the meeting are requested 
to provide a written summary of their remarks in advance; however, 
failure to do so will not bar a person from speaking. Speakers will be 
asked to limit their remarks to five minutes. Written comments 
submitted under this notice are due by 5 p.m. on July 31.

ADDRESSES: To gain admission to the Department of State for the 
meeting, RSVP by 5 p.m. on July 23 with the following information, 
which will be used to expedite admission to the Truman Building:
     Full name.
     Date of birth.
     Driver's license state and number or passport number.
    We request that RSVPs also include the organization, agency, or 
company affiliation of each individual (if any). RSVPs should also 
include any requests for reasonable accommodation, which should be made 
before July 23. Requests made after that date will be considered, but 
might not be possible to fulfill. To support full and effective 
participation of persons with disabilities, the Loy Henderson is 
equipped with wheelchair accessible podiums and ramps. RSVPs should be 
sent by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to (202) 647-
0320. The Truman Building is located at 2201 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC, 20520. PERSONS ATTENDING THE JULY 29 PUBLIC MEEING MUST ENTER THE 
STATE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE 23rd STREET ENTRANCE OF THE TRUMAN 
BUILDING.
    Written comments may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] or, for those with 
access to the Internet, may be submitted at the following address: 
http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp. If needed, comments may be 
submitted by fax to (202) 647-0320 or (202) 395-3891. Please note that 
all comments submitted under this notice will be posted on 
regulations.gov and will be accessible to the general public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Tracton, State Department BIT 
Coordinator, at (202) 736-4060, or Jonathan (Josh) Kallmer, Deputy 
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Investment, at (202) 395-9451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The United States negotiates BITs on the basis of a model text, 
last updated in 2004. The model may be viewed on the State Department 
Web site (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/117601.pdf) or 
the USTR Web site (http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/U.S.%20model%20BIT.pdf). The United States is presently a Party to BITs 
with 40 countries (list available at: http://www.state.gov/e/eeb/ifd/bit/117402.htm). In addition to the above-mentioned public meeting and 
the opportunity to submit written comments, the Administration is 
seeking advice from State Department's Advisory Committee on 
International Economic Policy and from statutory advisory committees 
that advise USTR and the Department of Commerce.

    Dated: July 8, 2009.
Wesley S. Scholz,
Director, Office of Investment Affairs, Department of State.

    Dated: July 8, 2009.
Jonathan S. Kallmer,
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Investment, Office of 
the United States Trade Representative.
 [FR Doc. E9-16639 Filed 7-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-P