Department of State 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the Department of State proposes to create a new system of records, STATE-70, pursuant to the Provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C.(r)), and the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-130, Appendix I. The Department's report was filed with the Office of Management and Budget on February 9, 2006. It is proposed that the new system will be named ``Integrated Logistics Management System Records.'' This system description is proposed in order to reflect more accurately the Office of Logistics Transportation Management, Office and the General Services Offices at Posts' record-keeping system, activities and operations. Any persons interested in commenting on this new system of records may do so by submitting comments in writing to Margaret P. Grafeld, Director; Office of Information Programs and Services; A/RPS/IPS; Department of State, SA-2; Washington, DC 20522-8100. This system of records will be effective 40 days from the date of publication, unless we receive comments that will result in a contrary determination. This new system description, ``Integrated Logistics Management System Records, State-70'' will read as set forth below.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of State proposes to alter an existing system of records, STATE-14, pursuant to the Provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C.(r)), and the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-130, Appendix I. The Department's report was filed with the Office of Management and Budget on February 9, 2006. It is proposed that the current system will retain the name ``Foreign Service Institute Records.'' It is also proposed that due to the expanded scope of the current system, the altered system description will include revisions and/or additions to the following sections: System Location; Categories of Individuals Covered by the System; Authority for Maintenance of the System; and Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and Purposes of such Uses. Changes to the existing system description are proposed in order to reflect more accurately the Foreign Service Institute's record-keeping system, the Authority establishing its existence and responsibilities, and the uses and users of the system. Any persons interested in commenting on the altered system of records may do so by submitting comments in writing to Margaret P. Grafeld, Director; Office of Information Programs and Services; A/RPS/ IPS; Department of State, SA-2; Washington, DC 20522-8100. This system of records will be effective 40 days from the date of publication, unless we receive comments that will result in a contrary determination. The altered system description, ``Foreign Service Institute Records,'' will read as set forth below.

This notice announces the program of International Telecommunication Advisory Committee meetings to prepare for meetings of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Committee for Information, Computer & Communications Policy (ICCP), various International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Study Groups, and the Organization of American States Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) through July 2006. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for the OECD ICCP March meeting on February 27, 2006 2- 4 p.m. at Verizon Communications, 1300 Eye Street, Washington, DC determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for various ITU-R Study Group meetings continuously by e-mail through the end of July 2006. People desiring to participate in this activity should contact the secretariat at minardje@state.gov or 202-647-2592 for directions. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG16 (Multimedia Terminals, Systems & Applications) on March 16, 2006 in Chantilly, Virginia at a location and time to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG17 (Security, Languages, & Telecommunication Software) on March 29, 2006 2-4 p.m. in Washington, DC at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T Telecommunication Sector Advisory Group on April 6, May 18, June 8 and June 15, 2006 in Washington, DC all 2-4 p.m. at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG2 (Operational aspects of service provision, networks and performance) on April 11, 2006 in Washington, DC 10-noon at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for CITEL PCC.I (Telecommunication) on April 11 and May 11, 2006 all 2-4 p.m. in Washington, DC at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG9 (Integrated broadband cable networks and television and sound transmission) on April 20, 2006 2-4 p.m. in Washington, DC at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG4 (Telecommunication Management) on May 4, 2006 in Chantilly, VA at a time and location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG3 (Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunication economic and policy issues) on May 18, 2006 10-noon, May 25 and June 1, 2006 2-4 p.m. in Washington, DC at a location to be determined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for ITU-T SG13 (Next Generation Networks), SG11 (Signalling requirements and protocols), and SG19 (Mobile Telecommunication Networks) on June 30, 2006, in Savannah, GA (following and co-located with ATIS PTSC/PRQC meetings) at a location to be determined. These meetings are open to the public. Particulars on meeting location and times, and information on conference bridges is available from the secretariat minardje@state.gov, telephone 202-647-2592.

This rule finalizes the proposed rule published on September 15, 2003 to implement the records preservation requirements of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention) and the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (the IAA). The IAA requires that the Department of State (the Department) issue rules to govern the preservation of Convention records held by the Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This final rule is the same as the proposed rule, except for non-substantive technical corrections. It requires the Department and DHS to maintain Convention records for 75 years and defines the term Convention record.

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Exchange Visitor Program Annual Report. OMB Control Number: 1405-0151. Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/PS. Form Number: Form DS-3097. Respondents: Designated J-1 program sponsors. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1468. Estimated Number of Responses: 1468 annually. Average Hours per Response: 1 hour. Total Estimated Burden: 1468 hours. Frequency: Annually. Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.

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 ``Hokusai,'' 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 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, from on or about March 4, 2006, until on or about May 14, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Near East/South Asia Branch, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, announces an open competition for public and private non-profit organizations to develop and implement the U.S. Summer Institutes for Pakistani Undergraduate Students, to take place in the U.S. during the summer of 2006. The Bureau anticipates awarding two separate assistance awards to support two institutes for Pakistani undergraduate students. Each institute is intended to provide a minimum of 15-20 highly motivated second- and third-year undergraduate students from Pakistan with a six-week academic seminar, including a two-week U.S. travel component that will give the participants a deeper understanding of the program themes.

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 ``Britannia & Muscovy: English Silver at the Court of the Tsars,'' 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 Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut, from on or about May 19, 2006, until on or about September 10, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Department of State (Department) is proposing the amendment of its existing au pair regulations under the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa) to permit designated au pair sponsors to request a one-time extension of six, nine or 12 months beyond an au pair participant's original 12-month program (the maximum duration of program participation).

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Statement of Non-Receipt of A Passport. OMB Control Number: 1405-0146. Type of Request: Revision of the currently approved collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, Passport Services, Office of Field Operations, Field Coordination Division. CA/PPT/FO/FC. Form Number: DS-86. Respondents: Individuals or Households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,500. Estimated Number of Responses: 23,500. Average Hours per Response: \1/12\ hr. (5 min.). Total Estimated Burden: 2,000 hours annually. Frequency: On occasion. Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain a Benefit.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of State has imposed statutory debarment pursuant to Section 127.7(c) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (``ITAR'') (22 CFR parts 120 to 130) on persons convicted of violating or conspiring to violate Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (``AECA'') (22 U.S.C. 2778).

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 ``Warriors of the Himalayas: Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet,'' 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 April 3, 2006, until on or about July 2, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register. For Further Information Contact: For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact Julianne Simpson, Attorney- Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: 202/453-8049). The address is U.S. Department of State, SA- 44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 700, Washington, DC 20547-0001.

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 ``Life in the Pacific of the 1700s: The Cook/Forster Collection of the George August University of Gottingen,'' imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to a loan agreement with the foreign owner or custodian. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu, HI, from on or about February 23, 2006, until on or about May 14, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

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 ``Amorous Intrigues and Painterly Refinement: The Art of Frans van Mieris,'' 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. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at The National Gallery of Art, from on or about February 26, 2006, until on or about May 21, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Department hereby announces its policy regarding agriculture training programs, which are governed by the Department's Exchange Visitor Program regulations appearing in 22 CFR part 62. Since 1949 the Department has permitted designated sponsors to conduct programs designed to train individuals in many industrial, professional, agricultural, and other occupational skills. Training programs utilizing the J visa are regulated by the Department under the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act), 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.; the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J); the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, Public Law 105- 277; as well as other statutory enactments, Reorganization Plans and Executive Orders. Regulations dealing with training programs appear at 22 CFR 62.22. In 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the Department's management of the J visa Summer Work Travel and Trainee programs to ensure that only authorized activities are carried out under the programs and to identify potential risks of the programs and the data available to the Department to assess those risks. (``Stronger Action Needed to Improve Oversight and Assess Risks of the Summer Work Travel and Trainee Categories of the Exchange Visitor Program,'' GAO- 06-106, October 2005.) Among other things, the GAO Report found that there was a potential that the trainee programs could be misused as employment programs and that trainees could be exploited by employers or other third parties. Agricultural training programs were found to be particularly problematic because of the potential for fraud. Abuses of the training regulations were not hidden; there were cases where there was not even an attempt to represent jobs as training, and which certain employers referred to their program participants as employees, rather than trainees. In one case cited, four trainees were placed with dairy farms that had an agreement with the program sponsor. Only one of the trainees had a firm grasp of English, and only one of the four farms participating in the program had a structured training plan. There were questions as to whether such programs were merely utilizing trainees for cheap labor and whether the trainees were simply receiving enough training to perform their work. (GAO Report, pp. 17, 21). The Department has taken steps to address these concerns. Among other things, the Department has consulted with the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture in order to develop ways to better monitor agricultural training programs and to determine whether such agriculture training programs are subject to, and if so, whether they are in compliance with, existing statutes such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 201, et seq., and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act, Public Law 97-470, 29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Pending the Department's resolution of these outstanding issues, the Department of State will not designate any new J visa agricultural training programs, nor will it permit currently-designated training programs offering agricultural training to expand the agricultural training component of their programs. Redesignation of programs will continue as required by existing regulations.

The Department of State is seeking applications and nominations for the renewal of the General Advisory Committee to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) as well as to a Scientific Advisory Subcommittee of the General Advisory Committee. The purpose of the General Advisory Committee and the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee is to provide public input and advice to the United States Section to the IATTC in the formulation of U.S. policy and positions at meetings of the IATTC and its subsidiary bodies. The Scientific Advisory Subcommittee shall also function as the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NATSAC) provided for in the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP). The United States Section to the IATTC is composed of the Commissioners to the IATTC, appointed by the President, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries or his or her designated representative. Authority to establish the General Advisory Committee and Scientific Advisory Subcommittee is provided under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended by the International Dolphin Conservation Program Act (IDCPA) of 1997.

This notice cancels certain previously announced International Telecommunication Advisory Committee meetings originally scheduled to prepare for the International Telecommunication Union World Telecommunication Development Conference. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) cancels meetings to prepare for the ITU WTDC-06 previously scheduled for February 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2006.

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 ``Without Boundary: Seventeen Ways of Looking'', 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 Museum of Modern Art, from on or about February 21, 2006, until on or about May 22, 2006, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register. For Further Information Contact: For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact Paul Manning, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: 202/ 453-8052). The address is U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW. Room 700, Washington, DC 20547-0001.

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 ``Courbet and the Modern Landscape,'' 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. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA, from on or about February 21, 2006, until on or about May 14, 2006, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX, from on or about June 18, 2006, until on or about September 10, 2006, the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD, from on or about October 15, 2006, until on or about January 7, 2007, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of State has imposed statutory debarment pursuant to section 127.7(c) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (``ITAR'') (22 CFR Parts 120 to 130) on persons convicted of violating or conspiring to violate section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (``AECA'') (22 U.S.C. 2778).