03-24769. Defense Trade Advisory Group; Notice of Membership

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Notice.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs' Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) is accepting membership applications.

The DTAG was established as a continuing committee under the authority of 22 U.S.C. 2656 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. I et seq. (“FACA”).

The purpose of the DTAG is to provide the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs with a formal channel for regular consultation and coordination with U.S. private sector defense exporters and defense trade specialists on issues involving U.S. laws, policies, and regulations for munitions exports. The DTAG advises the Bureau on its support for and regulation of defense trade to help ensure that impediments to legitimate exports are reduced while the foreign policy and national security interests of the U.S. continue to be protected and advanced in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended. Major topics addressed by the DTAG include (a) policy issues on commercial defense trade and technology transfer; (b) regulatory and licensing procedures applicable to defense articles, services, and technical data; (c) technical issues involving the U.S. Munitions List (USML); and (d) questions relating to actions designed to carry out the AECA and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Members are appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs on the basis of individual substantive and technical expertise and qualifications, and are drawn from a representative cross-section of U.S. defense industry, association, academic, and foundation personnel, including appropriate technical and military experts. All DTAG members shall be aware of the Department of State's mandate that arms transfers must further U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. DTAG members also shall be versed in the complexity of commercial defense trade and industrial competitiveness, and all members must be able to advise the Bureau on these matters. Further, DTAG members will not be advocates for or consider themselves as representatives on behalf of their employers or organizations when serving as a member of the DTAG. While members are expected to use their expertise and provide candid advice, national security and foreign policy interests of the U.S. shall be the basis for all policy and technical recommendations.

DTAG members' responsibilities include:

• Service for a consecutive two-year term which may be renewed or terminated at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs (Membership shall automatically terminate for members who fail to attend three consecutive DTAG plenary meetings, which ideally are held bi-annually).
• Making recommendations in accordance with the DTAG Charter and the FACA.
• Making policy and technical recommendations within the scope of the U.S. commercial export control regime as mandated in the AECA, the ITAR, and appropriate directives.

Please note that DTAG members may not be reimbursed for travel, per diem, and other expenses incurred in connection with their duties as DTAG members.

How to apply: Applications in response to this notice must contain the following information: (1) Name of applicant; (2) affirmation of U.S. citizenship; (3) organizational affiliation and title, as appropriate; (4) mailing address; (5) work telephone number; (6) e-mail address; (7) resume; (8) summary of qualifications for DTAG membership.

This information may be provided via two methods:

• E-mailed to the following address: [e-mail]. In the subject field, please write, “DTAG Application.”
• Sent in hardcopy to the following address: Mary F. Sweeney, PM/DTCM, SA-1, 12th Floor, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Bureau of Political Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0112.

All applications must be postmarked by October 31, 2003. Also, current DTAG members need not submit an application package in order to be considered for membership in 2004-2006.

Michael T. Dixon,

Designated Federal Official, Defense Trade Advisory Group, Department of State.