[Federal Register: April 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 80)] [Notices] [Page 22642-22643] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr27ap99-76] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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