Shippers NewsWire reports that the National Harbor Association has called the U.S. government's diversion of taxpayer dollars to overseas port improvement projects "disturbing," especially given the fact that the Army Corps of Engineer's annual budget for U.S. port maintenance and upgrades continues to come up short. (SNW dated 03/23/04, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that a group of specialists believe the U.S. sanctions against Myanmar (formerly Burma) haven't achieved their aims and have been counterproductive in moving that country toward democracy. The Seattle-based Myanmar specialists have issued a report which concludes that U.S. sanctions aren't working because of Myanmar's growing ties with China, India, and its Southeast Asian neighbors. (WSJ Pub 03/25/04)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective March 18, 2004, which, among other things, amends 15 CFR Parts 745 and 774 to implement certain understandings reached at the June 2003 plenary meeting of the Australia Group (AG).
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that ocean carriers are strongly opposed to a security fee of $1 per foot of vessel length proposed by the South Carolina State Ports Authority. According to JoC, the charge will take effect in July and is expected to bring in $1 million to cover increased security costs. (JoC Pub 03/15 - 21/04, www.joc.com)
The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has announced the launch of the DDTC Response Team.
The Journal of Commerce reports that the Panama Canal Authority is testing its Automated Data Collection System, which will let officials analyze and assess the risk that ships, crews, passengers, or cargo could pose to the canal. The article notes that like U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) Automated Manifest System (AMS), the Panamanian system will collect electronic data about ships and their cargo; however, the Panamanian system will emphasize information about the vessel. (JoC dated 02/16-22/04, www.joc.com.)
On February 26, 2004, the White House announced that in recognition of Libya's concrete steps toward repudiating weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and to build a foundation for Libya's economic growth and reintegration into the international community, the U.S. will take the following steps (partial list): (a) the restriction on the use of U.S. passports for travel to Libya has been rescinded; (b) the Treasury Department will issue a general license on February 26, 2004 for all travel-related expenditures in Libya; (c) U.S. companies with pre-sanctions holdings in Libya will be authorized as of February 26, 2004 to negotiate the terms of their re-entry into operations in Libya, subject to certain requirements; (d) etc. According to the White House announcement, as Libya continues to take steps that will lead to the dismantling of WMD and Missile Technology Control Regime- (MCTR)-class missiles programs and adheres to the renunciation of terrorism, the U.S. will continuously evaluate the range of bilateral sanctions that remain in place relating to Libya. (White House statement, dated 02/26/04, available at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/print/20040226-1.html.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 20, 2004, that amends 15 CFR Parts 764 and 766 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by incorporating a guidance document (guidance) entitled, "Supplement No.1 to Part 766 - Guidance on Charging and Penalty Determinations in Settlement of Administrative Enforcement Cases."
According to The Wall Street Journal, a growing coalition of steel producers and consumers is considering whether to petition the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to limit exports of scrap steel, as recent growth in exports to Asia and elsewhere has sent scrap prices soaring. (WSJ, dated 02/12/04, www.wsj.com)
WTO News states that the World Trade Organization's (WTO) General Council has given Cambodia another six months (to March 31, 2004) to ratify its membership agreement and join the WTO. (WTO News, dated 02/11/04, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/gc_cambodia/11Feb04_.e.htm