Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that House opponents of the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) are moving within sight of the 218 votes needed to defeat the trade deal, with 165 members stating that they will or are likely to vote against CAFTA. According to WTD, concern about lack of decent labor standards in Central America, as well as CAFTA's failure to ensure such standards improve, is most often cited as the reason for opposition. (WTD, dated 05/17/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
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1. House Opponents of CAFTA Are Gaining Ground
2. U.S. Goal of Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013
The Washington File reports that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has engaged in intensive negotiations with a number of Arab countries to develop bilateral trade agreements, which it intends to knit together into a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013. According to the article, the U.S. has an FTA in effect with Jordan, an FTA with Morocco scheduled to come into force July 1, an FTA with Bahrain awaiting congressional approval, and FTAs under negotiation with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. (Washington File Pub 05/13/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/Archive/2005/May/13-59203.html)
3. DHS Record of Decision for Border Patrol Operations in McAllen Sector, TX
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a record of decision document announcing the final decision regarding the Environmental Impact Statement for the Office of Border Patrol's (OBP's) Operation Rio Grande regarding potential environmental impacts resulting from Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) OBP deployment of the lighting, roads, fences, mowing and boat ramp construction on the U.S. and Mexican border in the McAllen Sector of the OBP. (DHS notice, FR Pub 05/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-9518.pdf.)
4. BIS Announces Indictment of Pakistani Businessman for Trafficking Nuclear Equipment
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a press release announcing that Humayun A. Khan of Pakistan has been indicted for conspiracy and violating U.S. export restrictions on commodities that are controlled for nuclear non-proliferation reasons. As owner and CEO of Pakland PME Corporation, Khan and an Israeli national orchestrated violative shipments of nuclear detonators and testing equipment. According to BIS, Asher Karni, the Israeli national, has pled guilty to five counts of conspiracy and export violations. (BIS Press Release, dated 04/08/05, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2005/PakistaniBusinessman.htm)
5. BIS Announces Settlement Agreements for Various EAR Violations
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued press releases announcing that it has reached settlement agreements with the following companies regarding certain alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (see press releases for complete details):
| Company | Alleged Violation | Civil Penalty | Press Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teledyne Energy Systems Inc., (MD) | Export of power plant technical data to India | $16,500 | 04/15/05 |
| Medi-Link International (UK) | Failed to comply with EAR reporting and recordkeeping requirements | $17,500 | 04/12/05 |
| Metric Equipment Sales (CA) | Exported oscilloscopes to Israel | $150,000 | 04/12/05 |
| Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. (VA) | Exported optical sighting devices to Canada | $10,000 | 04/12/05 |
| Yarde Metals (NY) | Unlicensed export of aluminum plate to India | $10,000 | 04/12/05 |
| Uni-Arab Engineering and Oil Field Services (UAE) | Re-export of oil field chemical testing equipment supplies to Libya | $170,000 | 04/01/05 |
In addition to a civil penalty of $150,000, this company also received a criminal fine of $50,000, probation, and community service. See BIS press release for complete details.
These and other BIS press releases are available at www.bis.doc.gov/news/index.htm