Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that prospects for House approval of the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) got a big boost yesterday when the United States Trade Rights Enforcement Act was introduced, a bill which pulls together various legislative proposals targeting China, such as allowing countervailing duty cases against China. The article states that allowing a vote on this China bill is expected to persuade some House members to vote for CAFTA. (WTD, dated 07/15/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
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1. Prospects for House Approval of CAFTA Gets Boost
2. Small Shippers Criticize 500-Container Annual Minimum for a PierPass Credit Account
The Journal of Commerce reports that small shippers are criticizing PierPass' decision to prevent shippers who move fewer than 500 containers a year from setting up a credit arrangement that allows weekly billing for containers that are trucked into or out of the LA/Long Beach ports during peak periods. (JoC, dated 07/11/05, www.joc.com)
3. State Dept Announces Various Telecommunications Meetings for 2005
The State Department has announced various meetings of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) for the remainder of 2005 in preparation for technical and advisory group meetings of the International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), and the OAS Inter American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL).
ITAC will meet on the following dates in 2005: July 28 and August 17 and 24 to prepare for ITU-T Study Group 3 (Charging and Accounting Principles); July 29-August 3 and September 5-10 (by email) and August 11 to prepare for ITU-T Study Group 17 (Security); September 8 and 29 and October 13 to prepare for ITU-T Advisory Group; July 29 and August 16 to prepare for the meeting of CITEL Permanent Consultative Committee I (Telecommunication Standardization); and September 7, October 12, and November 16 and 30 to prepare for the meeting of CITEL Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL). (Public Notice 5102, FR Pub 07/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13789.pdf)
4. OFAC Amends List of Individuals/Entities Subject to its Economic Sanctions Programs
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice amending appendix A to 31 CFR Chapter V to (1) reflect the addition or removal, since it was last published, of the names of individuals and entities subject to the various economic sanctions programs administered by OFAC and (2) provide updated identifying and clarifying information for certain individuals and entities included in the appendix. OFAC is also amending the notes to the appendices to 31 CFR Chapter V to reflect the revisions to appendix A and changes in the status of several programs. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 07/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-12775.pdf.)
5. President Issues EO Blocking Property of WMD Proliferators, Supporters
On June 28, 2005, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13382, which provides for the blocking of property of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters. This EO describes certain determinations that are required for blocking such property and contains an Annex listing certain persons whose property is blocked. EO 13382 became effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 29, 2005. (FR Pub 07/01/05 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13214.pdf)
6. FMCSA Finalizes Interim Final Rule on Transportation of Household Goods
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has adopted a June 2003 interim final rule as a final rule without any changes aside from certain technical amendments. This final rule specifies how motor carriers transporting household goods by commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce must assist their individual customers who ship household goods. The provisions of this final rule are applicable to 49 CFR Part 375. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/18/03 and 08/11/04 news, 03061899 3 and 04081199 6, for BP summary of the interim final rule as well as a subsequent correction, respectively.) (D/N FMCSA-97-2979, FR Pub 07/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13608.pdf)