As a result of today's votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of the countervailing duty order and antidumping duty orders and termination of the suspended countervailing duty investigation on these products would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission's reviews in these cases will be completed no later than December 30, 1999, unless extended.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (ITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Reviews of outstanding antidumping and countervailing duty orders in existence as of January 1, 1995, began in July 1998.

The Commission's institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the ITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission's determinations to conduct full reviews resulted from 3-3 votes. Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, and Thelma J. Askey concluded that the domestic group response for these reviews was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for full reviews. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg, Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller, and Commissioner Carol T. Crawford concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.

A record of the Commission's votes on these matters is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Cotton Shop Towels from China"; "Cotton Shop Towels from Pakistan"; "Cotton Shop Towels from Peru"; and "Cotton Shop Towels from Bangladesh").

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.