Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements, 59339-59340 [E9-27561]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 17, 2009 / Notices Aggregate Public Reporting Burden: 1,298,572 hours. OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Dated: November 10, 2009. Elizabeth A. Davidson, Director, Center for Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. E9–27511 Filed 11–16–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6812] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘The Drawings of Bronzino’’ SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ‘‘The Drawings of Bronzino,’’ imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, from on or about January 19, 2010, until on or about April 18, 2010, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact Carol B. Epstein, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: 202/632–6473). The address is U.S. Department of State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20522– 0505. Dated: November 6, 2009. Maura M. Pally, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. E9–27570 Filed 11–16–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 20:50 Nov 16, 2009 Jkt 220001 Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and reply comment. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (‘Section 1377’), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) is reviewing and requests comments on: The operation, effectiveness, and implementation of and compliance with the following agreements regarding telecommunications products and services of the United States: the World Trade Organization (‘‘WTO’’) General Agreement on Trade in Services; the North American Free Trade Agreement (‘‘NAFTA’’); U.S. free trade agreements (‘‘FTAs’’) with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (‘‘CAFTA–DR’’). The USTR will conclude the review by March 31, 2010. DATES: Comments are due by noon on December 11, 2009 and reply comments by noon on January 15, 2010. ADDRESSES: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, ATTN: Section 1377 Comments, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hinckley, Office of Services and Investment (202) 395–9539; or Amy Karpel, Office of the General Counsel (202) 395–3150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1377 requires the USTR to review annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether any act, policy, or practice of a country that has entered into an FTA or other telecommunications trade agreement with the United States is inconsistent with the terms of such agreement or otherwise denies U.S. firms, within the context of the terms of such agreements, mutually advantageous market opportunities for telecommunications products and services. For the current review, the USTR seeks comments on: PO 00000 Frm 00227 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59339 (1) Whether any WTO member is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with its obligations under WTO agreements affecting market opportunities for telecommunications products or services, e.g., the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (‘‘GATS’’), including the Basic Telecommunications Agreement, the Annex on Telecommunications, and any scheduled commitments including the Reference Paper on Pro-Competitive Regulatory Principles; (2) Whether Canada or Mexico has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under the NAFTA; (3) Whether Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under the CAFTA–DR; (4) Whether Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, or Singapore has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under the respective FTA between the United States and that country (see https:// www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/freetrade-agreements for U.S. FTAs); (5) Whether any country has failed to comply with its obligations under telecommunications trade agreements with the United States other than FTAs, e.g., Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (see https://ts.nist.gov/standards/conformity/ mra/mra.cfm) for a collection of trade agreements related, inter alia, to telecommunications); (6) Whether any act, policy, or practice of a country cited in a previous section 1377 review remains unresolved (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/ services-investment/telecom-ecommerce/section-1377-review for the most recent reviews); and (7) Whether any measures or practices impede access to telecommunications markets or otherwise deny telecommunications products and services market opportunities with respect to any country that is a WTO member or for which an FTA or telecommunications trade agreement has entered into force between such country and the United States. Measures or practices of interest include, for example, prohibitions on voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) services; requirements for access to or use of networks that limit the products or services U.S. suppliers can offer in specific markets; the imposition of excessively high licensing fees; discriminatory procedures for allocation and use of spectrum or other scarce E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1 59340 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 17, 2009 / Notices resources; and the imposition of unnecessary or discriminatory technical regulations or standards in the telecommunications product or services sectors. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Public Comment and Reply Comment: Requirements for Submission Comments in response to this notice must be written in English, must identify (on the first page of the comments) the telecommunications trade agreement(s) discussed therein, and must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on December 11, 2009. Reply comments must also be in English and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 15, 2010. Comments and reply comments, with the exception of business confidential comments, must be submitted using https:// www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2009–0038. Instructions for submitted business confidential versions are provided below. In the unusual case where submitters are unable to make submissions through Regulations.gov, the submitter must contact Gloria Blue at (202) 395–3475 to make alternate arrangements. To submit comments using https:// www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2009–0038 on the home page and click ‘‘Search’’. The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Locate the reference to this notice by selecting ‘‘Notices’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on the search-results page, and click on the link entitled ‘‘Send a Comment.’’ Follow the instructions given on the screen to submit a comment. The https:// www.regulations.gov website offers the option of providing comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field or by attaching a document. While both options are acceptable, USTR prefers submissions in the form of an attachment. Business Confidential Submissions Persons wishing to submit business confidential information must submit that information by fax to (202) 395– 3891. Business confidential submissions will not be accepted at https:// regulations.gov. The submitter must include in the comments a written explanation of why the information should be protected in accordance with 15 CFR 2007.7(b). In addition, a nonconfidential version of the comments must be submitted to https:// www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2009–0038. The submission must indicate, with asterisks, where confidential information was redacted or deleted. The top and bottom of each VerDate Nov<24>2008 20:50 Nov 16, 2009 Jkt 220001 page of the non-confidential version must be marked either ‘‘PUBLIC VERSION’’ or ‘‘NON-CONFIDENTIAL’’. Business confidential comments that are submitted without the required markings or that do not have a properly marked non-confidential version submitted to regulations.gov as set forth above may not be accepted or may be treated as public documents. Submitters should provide updated information on all issues they cite in their filings; USTR will not review submissions that are copies of earlier submissions. Carmen Suro-Bredie, Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. E9–27561 Filed 11–16–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190–W0–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary [Docket DOT–OST–2009–0292] Michael R. Bennett and Workplace Compliance; Final Public Interest Exclusion Order Office of the Secretary, DOT. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a decision and order under the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs excluding a service agent, Michael R. Bennett, Workplace Compliance, Inc. in North Carolina, Texas, and all other places it is incorporated, franchised, or otherwise doing business, and all other individuals who are officers, employees, directors, shareholders, partners, or other individuals associated with Workplace Compliance, Inc., from providing drug and alcohol testing services in any capacity to any DOTregulated employer for a period of 5 years. Mr. Bennett and his company provided Medical Review Officer services to DOT-regulated employers directly and through other service agents when Mr. Bennett was not qualified to act as a Medical Review Officer. DATES: The effective date of the Public Interest Exclusion was July 31, 2009 and it will remain in effect until July 31, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrice M. Kelly, Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366– PO 00000 Frm 00228 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3784 (voice), (202) 366–3897 (fax), or patrice.kelly@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In accordance with the provisions of the Department’s regulation at 49 CFR part 40 (Part 40), subpart R, Public Interest Exclusions (PIE), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice of Corrective Action to Mr. Bennett on March 6, 2009, and then issued a Notice of Proposed Exclusion on May 5, 2009. Through an investigation, the FAA found that Mr. Bennett violated Part 40 because he had performed all roles and responsibilities of a Medical Review Officer (MRO) under Part 40, even though he was not a licensed physician (a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy), and therefore not qualified to act as an MRO. Mr. Bennett and his company used a medical doctor’s name on thousands of negative test results and hundreds of non-negative test results in order to verify these DOT-regulated drug test results. He communicated those results to employers and/or other service agents for communication to other DOTregulated employers. The FAA referred the matter to the Department for a PIE proceeding under the provisions of Subpart R of Part 40. Mr. Bennett did not contest the FAA’s allegations. Public Interest Exclusion Decision and Order On July 31, 2009, the Department issued a PIE against Michael R. Bennett, Workplace Compliance, Inc. in North Carolina, Texas, and all other places it is incorporated, franchised, or otherwise doing business, and all other individuals who are officers, employees, directors, shareholders, partners, or other individuals associated with Workplace Compliance, Inc., (‘‘Michael R. Bennett, et al.’’) from providing drug and alcohol testing services in any capacity to any DOT-regulated employer for a period of 5 years. A full copy of the Department’s Decision and Order can be found at https://www.dot.gov/ost/ dapc/. In accordance with the terms of the Department’s Decision and Order and per 49 CFR 40.403(a), Michael R. Bennett, et al., were required to directly notify each of the affected DOTregulated employer clients in writing about the issuance, scope, duration, and effect of the PIE. The Department has notified employers and the public about this PIE by publishing a ‘‘List of Excluded Drug and Alcohol Service Agents’’ on its Web site at https:// E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59339-59340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27561]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With 
Telecommunications Trade Agreements

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and reply comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and 
Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (`Section 1377'), the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is 
reviewing and requests comments on: The operation, effectiveness, and 
implementation of and compliance with the following agreements 
regarding telecommunications products and services of the United 
States: the World Trade Organization (``WTO'') General Agreement on 
Trade in Services; the North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA''); 
U.S. free trade agreements (``FTAs'') with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, 
Morocco, Oman, Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic-Central 
America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''). The USTR 
will conclude the review by March 31, 2010.

DATES: Comments are due by noon on December 11, 2009 and reply comments 
by noon on January 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff 
Committee, ATTN: Section 1377 Comments, Office of the United States 
Trade Representative, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hinckley, Office of Services 
and Investment (202) 395-9539; or Amy Karpel, Office of the General 
Counsel (202) 395-3150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1377 requires the USTR to review 
annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements 
regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force 
with respect to the United States. The purpose of the review is to 
determine whether any act, policy, or practice of a country that has 
entered into an FTA or other telecommunications trade agreement with 
the United States is inconsistent with the terms of such agreement or 
otherwise denies U.S. firms, within the context of the terms of such 
agreements, mutually advantageous market opportunities for 
telecommunications products and services. For the current review, the 
USTR seeks comments on:
    (1) Whether any WTO member is acting in a manner that is 
inconsistent with its obligations under WTO agreements affecting market 
opportunities for telecommunications products or services, e.g., the 
WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (``GATS''), including the 
Basic Telecommunications Agreement, the Annex on Telecommunications, 
and any scheduled commitments including the Reference Paper on Pro-
Competitive Regulatory Principles;
    (2) Whether Canada or Mexico has failed to comply with its 
telecommunications obligations under the NAFTA;
    (3) Whether Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua has failed to comply with its 
telecommunications obligations under the CAFTA-DR;
    (4) Whether Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, or 
Singapore has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations 
under the respective FTA between the United States and that country 
(see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements for 
U.S. FTAs);
    (5) Whether any country has failed to comply with its obligations 
under telecommunications trade agreements with the United States other 
than FTAs, e.g., Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity 
Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (see https://ts.nist.gov/standards/conformity/mra/mra.cfm) for a collection of trade agreements 
related, inter alia, to telecommunications);
    (6) Whether any act, policy, or practice of a country cited in a 
previous section 1377 review remains unresolved (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/services-investment/telecom-e-commerce/section-1377-review for the most recent reviews); and
    (7) Whether any measures or practices impede access to 
telecommunications markets or otherwise deny telecommunications 
products and services market opportunities with respect to any country 
that is a WTO member or for which an FTA or telecommunications trade 
agreement has entered into force between such country and the United 
States. Measures or practices of interest include, for example, 
prohibitions on voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) services; 
requirements for access to or use of networks that limit the products 
or services U.S. suppliers can offer in specific markets; the 
imposition of excessively high licensing fees; discriminatory 
procedures for allocation and use of spectrum or other scarce

[[Page 59340]]

resources; and the imposition of unnecessary or discriminatory 
technical regulations or standards in the telecommunications product or 
services sectors.

Public Comment and Reply Comment: Requirements for Submission

    Comments in response to this notice must be written in English, 
must identify (on the first page of the comments) the 
telecommunications trade agreement(s) discussed therein, and must be 
submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on December 11, 2009. Reply comments 
must also be in English and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 15, 
2010. Comments and reply comments, with the exception of business 
confidential comments, must be submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2009-0038. Instructions for 
submitted business confidential versions are provided below. In the 
unusual case where submitters are unable to make submissions through 
Regulations.gov, the submitter must contact Gloria Blue at (202) 395-
3475 to make alternate arrangements.
    To submit comments using https://www.regulations.gov, enter docket 
number USTR-2009-0038 on the home page and click ``Search''. The site 
will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated 
with this docket. Locate the reference to this notice by selecting 
``Notices'' under ``Document Type'' on the search-results page, and 
click on the link entitled ``Send a Comment.'' Follow the instructions 
given on the screen to submit a comment. The https://www.regulations.gov 
website offers the option of providing comments by filling in a ``Type 
Comment'' field or by attaching a document. While both options are 
acceptable, USTR prefers submissions in the form of an attachment.

Business Confidential Submissions

    Persons wishing to submit business confidential information must 
submit that information by fax to (202) 395-3891. Business confidential 
submissions will not be accepted at https://regulations.gov. The 
submitter must include in the comments a written explanation of why the 
information should be protected in accordance with 15 CFR 2007.7(b). In 
addition, a non-confidential version of the comments must be submitted 
to https://www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2009-0038. The 
submission must indicate, with asterisks, where confidential 
information was redacted or deleted. The top and bottom of each page of 
the non-confidential version must be marked either ``PUBLIC VERSION'' 
or ``NON-CONFIDENTIAL''.
    Business confidential comments that are submitted without the 
required markings or that do not have a properly marked non-
confidential version submitted to regulations.gov as set forth above 
may not be accepted or may be treated as public documents.
    Submitters should provide updated information on all issues they 
cite in their filings; USTR will not review submissions that are copies 
of earlier submissions.

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-27561 Filed 11-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W0-P

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