[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22642-22643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10536]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-406]
Overview and Analysis of the Economic Impact of U.S. Sanctions
With Respect to India and Pakistan
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation, scheduling of public hearing, and
notice of opportunity to submit comments.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 16, 1999.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on March 19, 1999, of a request under
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) from the
Committee on Ways and Means (the Committee) of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the U.S. International Trade Commission (the
Commission) instituted investigation No. 332-406, Overview and Analysis
of the Economic Impact of U.S. Sanctions With Respect to India and
Pakistan. The Commission plans to submit its report to the Committee by
September 17, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on economic aspects may be
obtained from James Stamps, Office of Economics (202-205-3227 or e-mail
to jstamps@usitc.gov); industry aspects, from Scott Ki, Office of
Industries (202-205-2160); and legal aspects, from William Gearhart,
Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact
Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819).
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this
matter
[[Page 22643]]
can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810).
BACKGROUND: In its letter, the Committee noted that the President
imposed economic sanctions on India and Pakistan in May 1998 under
section 102 of the Arms Export Control Act (``Glenn Amendment''), which
was enacted in 1994 (22 U.S.C. 2799aa(b)-1); U.S. economic sanctions
were imposed automatically once the President determined that India and
Pakistan had detonated nuclear explosive devices. In July 1998,
Congress passed section 902 of the India-Pakistan Relief Act of 1998
(Pub. L. 105-277), which authorized the President to waive application
of U.S. sanctions on India and Pakistan. On December 1, 1998, the
President waived the India and Pakistan sanctions, after determining
that such a waiver would increase the likelihood of progress toward
U.S. nuclear non-proliferation objectives (Presidential Determination
No. 99-7). By law, the President's waiver authority ends on October 21,
1999.
In anticipation of Congressional action during 1999 on sanctions
reform legislation and consideration of possible renewal of section 902
of the India-Pakistan Relief Act, the Committee requested that the
Commission complete a report by September 17, 1999, providing an
overview and analysis of the economic impact of U.S. sanctions policy
with respect to India and Pakistan. The Committee specifically
requested that the Commission's report:
(1) Identify U.S. industries, including U.S. agricultural
commodities, which were affected by economic sanctions on India and
Pakistan under sec. 102 of the Arms Export Control Act, and the impact
on each industry;
(2) Analyze, to the extent data are available, the economic impact
of U.S. sanctions on U.S. exports, U.S. imports, jobs, consumers, and
investment in the affected industries;
(3) Assess the likely economic impact on the United States if U.S.
economic sanctions against India and Pakistan are re-imposed, including
the U.S. products and sectors which would be significantly affected,
the availability of alternative foreign suppliers for leading U.S.
exports, and the likely impact of U.S. sanctions on the reputation of
the United States as a reliable supplier of food, technology, other
products, and on U.S. competitiveness in the affected industries;
(4) Assess the impact of the reimposition of U.S. economic
sanctions against India and Pakistan on U.S. agriculture, including the
likelihood of retaliation, the specific commodities most likely to be
affected, potential alternative foreign suppliers, the likely impact on
the incomes of U.S. agricultural producers, and the likely impact on
the U.S. reputation as a reliable supplier of agricultural commodities;
(5) Analyze the likely impact of unilateral U.S. economic sanctions
on the Indian and Pakistani economies; and
(6) Summarize the instances where U.S. sanctions have affected
humanitarian activities as well as the activities of multinational
institutions in India and Pakistan.
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with this investigation will be held
in the Commission Hearing Room, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436,
beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 22, 1999 (and continuing on June 23,
1999, if necessary). All persons will have the right to appear, by
counsel or in person, to present information and to be heard. Requests
to appear at the public hearing should be filed in writing with the
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 8, 1999.
Persons testifying at the hearing are encouraged to file prehearing
briefs or statements; the deadline for filing such briefs or statements
(a signed original and 14 copies) is no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 8,
1999. The deadline for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15
p.m. on July 6, 1999. Any confidential business information included in
such briefs or statements or to be submitted at the hearing must be
submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 201.6
of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). In
the event that, as of 5:15 p.m. on June 8, 1999, no witnesses have
filed a request to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled.
Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-
participant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1806)
after June 8, 1999, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
Written Submissions
In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing,
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning
the matters to be addressed in the report. Commercial or financial
information that a party desires the Commission to treat as
confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each
clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All
submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the
requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for
confidential business information, will be made available for
inspection by interested persons in the Office of the Secretary to the
Commission. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written
statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted at
the earliest practical date and should be received not later than COB
July 6, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary,
United Sates International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing
submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server
(http://www.usitc.gov).
Issued: April 19, 1999.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-10536 Filed 4-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
