Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
1. DDTC Forms With Expiration Date of 9/30 Still Valid
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The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has posted a notice to its Web site stating that most forms on the Web site have an expiration date of September 30, 2008. It is in the process of obtaining renewed authorization, but most likely this will not happen before September 30. All forms with an expiration date of September 30, 2008 will still be valid after that date. (DDTC Web site notice, posted 09/25/08, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)
2. AESDirect Program Back On-Line
The Census Bureau issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the utility maintenance at the primary datacenter for the AESDirect program has been completed and AESDirect is back on-line. (AES Broadcast #2008046, dated 09/28/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/broadcasts/2008046.html)
3. Senate Passed Mercury Export, Etc. Bill
On September 26, 2008, the Senate passed S. 906, a bill to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and export of elemental mercury, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, etc. (Congressional Record, dated 09/26/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003+d)+@FIELD(DDATE+20080926))
4. House Passed Iran Sanctions Bill
On September 26, 2008, the House passed H.R. 7112, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2008, a bill to impose sanctions with respect to Iran, to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other entities, and to identify locations of concern with respect to transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to Iran. (Congressional Record, dated 09/26/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003+d)+@FIELD(DDATE+20080926))
5. Continuing Appropriations Bill Cleared for the President
On September 24, 2008 the House passed an amended H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. The Senate passed an amended H.R. 2638 on September 27, 2008, clearing the bill for the President. (H.R. 2638 information available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02638)
6. GAO Says Next Generation Radiation Monitor Certification Likely to be Delayed
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Lieberman recently heard testimony indicating that one of the federal government’s major programs under development to protect people against the smuggling of nuclear material into the U.S. is so behind schedule its certification may again be delayed. At the hearing, the Government Accountability Office witness said new generation radiation portal monitors were over budget, behind schedule, and not meeting performance expectations. At issue are the Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Monitors (ASP) and the Cargo Automated Advanced Radiography System (CAARS), which were meant to work in tandem to scan cargo for nuclear materials coming in at air, land, and sea ports of entry. (Homeland Security Committee press release, dated 09/25/08, available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=6756d484-2c9f-41c7-96ff-1c9921e9b7ad&Month=9&Year=2008&Affiliation=C)
7. AES Compliance Seminar, Workshop Scheduled for October 8-9th
The CCBFA is sponsoring an Automated Export System (AES) Compliance Seminar and AESPcLink Workshop in Chicago, IL October 8 -- 9, 2008. (Seminar information available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/meetingsandpresentations/exportcompliance-chicago-20081008.html)
8. GAO Testifies on Combating Nuclear Smuggling
The Government Accountability Office released its testimony entitled "Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Needs to Consider the Full Costs and Complete All Tests Prior to Making a Decision on Whether to Purchase Advanced Portal Monitors." (GAO testimony, GAO-08-1178T, dated 09/25/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081178t.pdf)
9. GAO Testifies on Visa Waiver Program
The GAO released its testimony entitled "Visa Waiver Program: Actions Are Needed to Improve Management of the Expansion Process, and to Assess and Mitigate Program Risks." (GAO testimony, GAO-08-1142T, dated 09/24/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081142t.pdf)
10. State Dept Issues Travel Alert for Arabian Peninsula, Persian Gulf
The State Department has issued a Travel Alert regarding heightened security concerns in and around the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf. U.S. citizens traveling to or already in the region are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Travel Alert expires on February 22, 2009. (State Dept. travel alert, dated 09/23/08, available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1155.html)
11. ITAC Meeting Rescheduled
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee meeting that was scheduled for October 8, 2008 has been rescheduled for November 6, 2008. (State Dept. notice, Public Notice 6371, FR Pub 09/26/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22703.pdf)
12. FTZB Notice
The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following:
13. ACI to Hold Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Conference on Nov. 18-19, 2008
The American Conference Institute is holding its 20th anniversary conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act November 18-19, 2008 in Washington, DC. Attendees can benefit from the perspective of seasoned corporate FCPA compliance executives, get an update on enforcement and policy initiatives from government officials and FCPA attorneys, and learn how industry is setting up internal controls to comply in this constantly changing global legal landscape. (Conference information available at http://www.americanconference.com/fcpa.htm)
14. Advanced Corporate Compliance/Ethics Workshop to be Held Nov. 13-14th
The Practising Law Institute is offering an Advanced Corporate Compliance and Ethics Workshop on November 13-14, 2008 in San Francisco, CA, with a simultaneous live Web cast. The Workshop is designed specifically for experienced compliance officers, attorneys and staff responsible for compliance and ethics program administration. (Seminar information available at http://www.pli.edu/product/seminar_detail.asp?id=39552)
15. Canadian Border Agency Revised Export, CHB and Other D Memoranda
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has recently issued revised versions of the following:
· D20-1-4: Proof of Export, Canadian Ownership, and Destruction of Commercial Goods