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take the following steps (partial list): (a) the restriction on the use of U.S. passports for travel to Libya has been rescinded; (b) the Treasury Department will issue a general license on February 26, 2004 for all travel-related expenditures in Libya; (c) U.S. companies with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
BIS Issues Final Rule on Licensing Jurisdiction for Certain QRS11 Micromachined Angular Rate Sensors
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 9, 2004, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 734, 740 and 774 to transfer licensing jurisdiction for certain QRS 11-00100-100/101 Micromachined Angular Rate Sensors from the State Department to the Department of Commerce (DOC).
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 6, 2004, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by making certain corrections and clarifications, including the insertion of material inadvertently omitted from previous rules.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice stating that the President's Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA) will hold a partially open meeting on February 25, 2004 in Washington, DC. According to BIS, PECSEA provides advice on matters regarding portions of the Export Administration Act, as amended, that deal with U.S. policies of encouraging and controlling certain trade. (FR Pub 02/03/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-2112.pdf)
On January 23, 2004, President Bush signed into law (Public Law (P.L.) 108-199) the conference version of the fiscal year (FY) 2004 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2673), entitled the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004." P.L. 108-199 includes eight separate appropriations measures, including the 2004 Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Act), which provides, among other things, FY 2004 appropriations for the Commerce Department.
According to The Journal of Commerce, the submission to the Coast Guard of vessel and facility security plans by December 31, 2003 was only the first step as the crucial deadline is July 1, 2004, when vessels and shoreside facilities must have their security plans in operation. The article states that the Coast Guard plans to review the port security plans during the January-March 2003 time frame and by July 1, 2004, port facilities have to be operating in compliance. After that time, the Coast Guard will make unscheduled facility visits to make sure the plans are in operation. (JoC dated 01/12-18/04, www.joc.com.)