Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the U.S. has suspended plans to include the Dominican Republic in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) after Dominican lawmakers passed a 25% import tax on corn syrup during the week of September 20, 2004. (JoC Online, dated 09/28/04. www.joc.com.)
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1. U.S. Reported to Suspend Plan to Include Dominican Republic in CAFTA
2. U.S. Prepared to Drop Ecuador, Peru from Proposed Andean FTA if Investment Disputes Threaten Deal with Colombia
Washington Trade Daily reports that a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) official has stated that the U.S. is prepared to drop Ecuador and Peru from a proposed Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) if investment disputes with those two countries threaten a deal with Colombia. According to the official, the U.S. will not endanger an FTA with Colombia by having countries attached to it that could detract from congressional approval rather than add to it. (WTD Pub 09/30/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
3. Thailand Continues to Investigate Possible Human-to-Human Avian Influenza Transmissions
The Washington File has reported international health authorities are continuing to investigate possible human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a cluster of four infections in a Thai family are under investigation. (Washington File Pub 09/29/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=September&x=20040929135600cmretrop0.7354547&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
4. USAID, Starbucks, Etc. Create Conservation Coffee Alliance
The Washington File reports that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has joined with Conservation International (CI) and Starbucks Coffee to create the Conservation Coffee Alliance to promote private-sector industry approaches that are environmentally sensitive, socially responsible, and economically viable in Central America and Mexico. (Washington File Pub 09/28/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=September&x=20040928113254lcnirellep0.7885401&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
5. BIS Corrects its Notice on its Implementation of the Initial "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership" with India
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice correcting its September 22, 2004 notice regarding its implementation of the initial "next steps in strategic partnership" (NSSP) with India for a number of errors. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/28/04 news, 04092825, for BP summary of BIS' September 22, 2004 notice.)(BIS correction notice, FR Pub 09/29/04, available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21837.pdf.
6. Order Denying Export Privileges of Joseph Talyi Renewed
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the March 19, 2004 order temporarily denying the export privileges of Yaudat Mustafa Talyi, a.k.a. Joseph Talyi, has been renewed for a period of 180 days or until an administrative case against Talyi is completed, whichever occurs earlier. (BIS notice, FR Pub 09/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21558.pdf.)
7. Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Redesignated Foreign Terrorist Organization under Immigration and Nationality Act
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the Secretary of State is redesignating the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to the INA. (State Dept. public notice 4837, FR Pub 09/24/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-21503.pdf.)
8. U.S., Pakistan Begin Bilateral Investment Treaty Negotiations
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that the U.S. and Pakistan would begin negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), as part of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). (USTR press release, dated 09/28/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/September/United_States,_Pakistan_Begin_Bilateral_Investment_Treaty_negotiations.html)