Re: Surprise-surprise, imperialism still exists...

[Eubulides <paraconsistent@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

[Federal Register: October 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 211)]
[Notices]
[Page 62158-62159]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31oc03-120]

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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Determinations Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 62159]]

SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR), as of the date
of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, designates the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) as a beneficiary sub-Saharan
African country eligible to receive the trade benefits provided for in
the African Growth and Opportunity Act for articles other than textiles
and apparel.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance Hamilton, Senior Director
for African Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative,
(202) 395-9514.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The African Growth and Opportunity Act
(Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200)
(AGOA) provides trade benefits to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa
to promote increased trade and investment between the United States and
sub-Saharan Africa and economic development in the region.
    In Proclamation 7657 (March 28, 2003), the President designated the
Democratic Republic of Congo as an ``eligible sub-Saharan African
country'' pursuant to section 104 of the AGOA (19 U.S.C. 3703), and
authorized the USTR to exercise the authority provided to the President
under section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the
``1974 Act'') (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(1)) to designate DROC as a
``beneficiary sub-Saharan African country'' eligible to receive the
trade benefits of the AGOA for articles other than textiles and
apparel. The President directed the USTR to announce any such exercise
of authority in the Federal Register.
    The President also proclaimed that, if it is designated as a
beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, DROC would be a lesser
developed beneficiary country for purposes of section 112(b)(3)(B) of
the AGOA (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(3)(B)). Lastly, the President decided to
authorize the USTR, with respect to any designation of DROC as a
beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, to exercise the authority
provided to the President under section 604 of the 1974 Act (19 U.S.C.
2483) to embody modifications and technical or conforming changes in
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
    Based on progress DROC has made in stabilizing its political
situation, I have determined that DROC meets the eligibility criteria
set forth in section 506A(a)(1) of the 1974 Act and have decided, as of
the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, to
designate DROC as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for
purposes of receiving the trade benefits of the AGOA for articles other
than textiles and apparel. In order to reflect this designation in the
HTS, general note 16(a) to the HTS is modified by inserting in
alphabetical sequence in the list of beneficiary sub-Saharan African
countries ``Democratic Republic of Congo.'' This modification to the
HTS is effective with respect to respect to articles entered, or
withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. DROC is also a
lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes
of section 112(b)(3) of the AGOA. DROC may now begin the process to
become eligible for the trade benefits of the AGOA for textile and
apparel articles.

Robert B. Zoellick,
United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 03-27398 Filed 10-30-03; 8:45 am]