Department of State December 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with Sections 3 and 6 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-19) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003, the Department of State is identifying all the Participants eligible for trade in rough diamonds under the Act, and their respective Importing and Exporting Authorities, and revising the previously published list of September 8, 2008 (73 FR 52073) to add Mexico and delete Cote d`Ivoire.

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 ``Inventing Marcel Duchamp: The Dynamics of Portraiture,'' 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 National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC, from on or about March 27, 2009, until on or about August 2, 2009, 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.

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, the Department of State gives notice of the fourth meeting of the Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services. This Committee has been formed in fulfillment of the provisions of the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 109-435) and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Public input: Any member of the public interested in providing public input to the meeting should contact Mr. Chris Wood, whose contact information is listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Each individual providing oral input is requested to limit his or her comments to five minutes. Requests to be added to the speaker list must be received in writing (letter, e-mail or fax) prior to the close of business on February 6, 2009; written comments from members of the public for distribution at this meeting must reach Mr. Wood by letter, e-mail or fax by this same date. Meeting agenda: The agenda of the meeting will include a review of the results of the October-November 2008 sessions of the UPU Postal Operations Council and Council of Administration as well as other subjects related to international postal and delivery services of interest to Advisory Committee members and the public.

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.

The Office of Academic Exchange Programs, European and Eurasian Programs Branch (ECA/A/E/EUR) announces an open competition for three (3) Summer Institutes for European undergraduate students to take place during the summer of 2009. The Institutes vary in focus, the number of participants, length, timing, and funding. Accredited, post-secondary educational institutions in the United States may submit proposals to administer one or more of the Institute programs. Institutions must submit separate proposals for each Institute. All Institutes will be funded in FY2009 pending the availability of funds.

On December 10, 2008, the State Department published in the Federal Register a proposed rule titled Exchange Visitor Program. The Department amended the General Provisions of the existing Exchange Visitor Program regulations set forth at 22 CFR Part 62. This proposed rule is being withdrawn because it was submitted prior to a formal significance designation being made by OMB. The proposed rule is withdrawn in its entirety.

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 ``Tales in Sprinkled Gold: Japanese Lacquer for European Collectors,'' 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 J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA, from on or about March 3, 2009, until on or about May 24, 2009, 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.

The Department of State issued a Presidential permit, effective December 8, 2008, authorizing the General Services Administration to construct, operate, and maintain a vehicular and pedestrian border crossing called ``Otay Mesa East'' near San Diego, California, at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. In making this determination, the Department consulted with other federal agencies, as required by Executive Order 11423, as amended.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the management of the Disability Components for two Academic Year programs. This includes conducting a five-day summer Preparatory Workshop and a two-day spring Leadership and Reentry Workshop for Students with Disabilities from Eurasia participating in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program and from countries with significant Muslim populations participating in the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, as well as providing support services to these students throughout the year by assisting grantee placement organizations and maintaining regular communication with each student, as needed. Approximately 30 high school-aged students will participate in the Disability Component Program.

The Department of State is proposing to amend the General Provisions (Subpart A) of the existing Exchange Visitor Program regulations in order to provide greater specificity regarding program administration, sponsor obligations and participant eligibility in the Exchange Visitor Program. Certain definitions have been added or deleted. New requirements regarding applications for designation and redesignation, health insurance, the collection of employment authorization information on dependants and the successful completion of criminal background checks on all Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers are proposed. In addition, the requirements set forth in Subpart F (SEVIS reporting requirements) are consolidated into Subpart A.

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 ``Leonardo da Vinci's Horse and Rider? A Technical Investigation,'' 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 National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, from on or about May 3, 2009, until on or about September 7, 2009, 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. Following the exhibition at the Gallery, all objects but the principal statue will be returned to the lenders; the principal statue will travel to other U.S. museums to become part of new exhibitions for which new notices will be applied.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for grants that support exchanges and build relationships between U.S. non-profit organizations and civil society and cultural groups in Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central Asia and the Western Hemisphere. Pending availability of funds, it is anticipated that approximately $5,600,000 or more will be available to support this competition. ECA/PE/C expects to fund approximately 10-15 projects under this competition in FY 2009. U.S. public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals that support the goals of The Professional Exchange Program. Projects should promote mutual understanding and partnerships between key professional and cultural groups in the United States and counterpart groups in other countries through multi-phased exchanges taking place over one to two years. Proposals should encourage citizen engagement in current issues and promote the development of democratic societies and institutions, with a view toward creating a more stable world. All programs should be two-way exchanges and involve participants from the U.S. and foreign countries. Proposed projects should transform institutional and individual understanding of key issues, foster dialogue, share expertise, and develop capacity. Through these people-to-people exchanges, the Bureau seeks to break down stereotypes that divide peoples, to promote good governance and economic growth, to contribute to conflict prevention and management, and to build respect for cultural expression and identity in the world. Projects should be structured to allow American professionals and their international counterparts in eligible countries to develop a common dialogue for dealing with shared challenges and concerns. Projects should include current or potential leaders who will effect positive change in their communities. Applicants may not submit more than one proposal per theme in this competition. Also, applicants may not include countries not eligible under a specific theme designated in the RFGP. Proposals that do so will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no further consideration in the review process. For the purposes of this competition, eligible regions are Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. No guarantee is made or implied that grants will be awarded in all themes and for all countries listed.