Department of State March 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On March 24, 2010, the Department of State notified Congress that it had withdrawn Mexico's certification under United States Public Law 101-162, Section 609, because Mexico's turtle excluder device (TED) program was not currently comparable to the United States program as required by the statute. Withdrawal of Mexican certification is primarily a compliance and environmental issue, but it does have trade implications. The United States government is providing the Government of Mexico with detailed technical recommendations and capacity-building support with a view to strengthening Mexico's sea turtle protection program. Both governments will continue to actively seek further engagement opportunities to ensure renewal of Mexican certification within the shortest period of time consistent with the requirements of U.S. law.

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 ``Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia,'' 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 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, from on or about May 15, 2010, until on or about January 23, 2011, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, from on or about February 22, 2011, until on or about August 14, 2011, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register.

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.

The Department of State (``Department'') published two proposed rules in the Federal Register on December 14, 2009, and February 9, 2010, proposing to amend the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services. In this supplemental proposed rule, the Department of State is providing additional supplementary information regarding the Cost of Survey Study (CoSS), the activity-based costing model that the Department used to determine the fees for consular services proposed in. The Department is also re-opening the comment periods on both proposed rules for an additional 15 days.

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 ``Race to the End of the Earth,'' 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 American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, from on or about May 25, 2010, until on or about January 3, 2011, 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.

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

In his December 1, 2009, speech in West Point, New York, President Obama said that a new diplomatic initiative in Pakistan would be part of the U.S. strategy to bring peace and stability in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region. As part of this initiative, ECA is seeking proposals for a new two-part program, called ``The U.S./Pakistan Professional Partnership Program.'' This program will bring young professionals (ages 20-35) from the two countries together to develop cross cultural relationships and develop professional skills that will positively impact people's lives and will result in stronger ties between the two nations.

This notice announces a meeting of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) to prepare for an April 19- 30 meeting of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 13 (Future networks including mobile and Next Generation Networks).

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.

This competition is one of two competitions that the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is conducting in accordance with the Conference Report (House Report 111-366) accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111- 117) under Division F of the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriation Act 2010, ``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs'' in support of an $8 million ``One-Time Competitive Grants Program.'' All applications must be submitted by public or private non-profit organizations, meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). Total funding for this ``One-Time Competitive Grants Program'' is $8 million. Four million dollars will be dedicated to Competition AAcademic Programs One-time Grants Programreference number ECA/A-10-One-time-Comp-A, and $4 million will be dedicated to and announced simultaneously in a separate RFGP Competition BProfessional, Cultural and Youth One-time Grants Programreference number ECA/PE/C-10-One-time-Comp-B. Please note: The Bureau reserves the right to reallocate funds it has initially allocated to each of these two competitions, based upon factors such as the number of applications received and responsiveness to the review criteria outlined in each of the solicitations.