Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On September 15, 2004, Presidential Determination No. 2004-47 was issued which identifies the following major drug-transit or major illicit drug producing countries: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Vietnam. The determination notes that a country's presence on the list is not necessarily an adverse reflection of its government's counternarcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the U.S. (Presidential Determination No. 2004-47, dated 09/15/04, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040916-11.html)
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1. President Identifies Major Drug-Transit & Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries
2. FMC Issues Update on SERVCON Problems
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice requesting that filers re-attempt to upload any service contract or amendment documents for which a SERVCON amendment or indexing, Microsoft read-only, or error message was received. Further, the FMC requests feedback via email, servcon@fmc.gov, regarding the success or failure of filers' attempts to upload. FMC adds that if a filer is unable to successfully upload these service contracts, the email should provide the contract number, amendment number, organization number, user name, file name date it was originally filed with FMC, and the confirmation number, if available. FMC adds that those wishing to speak directly with FMC should contact the Office of Service Contracts and Tariff's staff at (202) 523-5856. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/26/04 news, 04082699 2, for earlier BP summary of SERVCON problems.)(FMC notice, dated 09/21/04, available at http://www.fmc.gov/SERVCON%20Notice%20-%20Update%209-17-04.htm)
3. PTO Final Rule Provides New Mailing Addresses for Trademark-Related Correspondence, Amends Rules for Submitting Documents Pursuant to Madrid Protocol
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued a final rule, effective October 4, 2004, which amends its rules to provide for new mailing addresses for trademark-related correspondence submitted on paper. The PTO is also amending some of the rules that govern the submission of documents pursuant to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) in the U.S. (FR Pub 09/24/04, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21476.pdf.)
4. APL Files Petition for Exemption from First Sentence of Section 9(c) of the Shipping Act of 1984, as Amended
American President Lines, Ltd. and APL Co. Pte. Ltd., have petitioned the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), pursuant to Section 16 of the 1984 Shipping Act, for a full exemption from the first sentence of Section 9(c) of the 1984 Act to permit them to reduce their tariff rates, charges, classifications, rules, or regulations, effective upon publication. (Notice of Filing of Petition No. P5-04, served 09/23/04, available at http://www.fmc.gov/Dockets/P5-04%20Commission%20Issues%20Notice%20of%20Filing.htm.)
5. BIS' Materials Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced that the Materials Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) will hold a closed meeting on October 14, 2004 in Washington, DC to discuss pre-decisional changes to the Commerce Control List (CCL) and U.S. export control policies. (FR Pub 09/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21564.pdf)
6. ITA Announces Upcoming Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Trade Mission
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has announced that it is organizing an Oil and Gas Equipment and Services Trade Mission to Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam on December 6-14, 2004. Recruitment closes on October 29, 2004. (FR Pub 09/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21606.pdf)