Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington File reports that the State Department's publication Country Reports on Terrorism 2004 identifies 40 Foreign Terrorist Organizations and also identifies another 40 terrorist groups or organizations that were active in the past year. According to the Washington File, designation of a group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization results in the U.S. government blocking assets held at U.S. financial institutions, denying its members visas, and making it a crime for U.S. citizens or others within U.S. jurisdiction to provide it with support or resources. The State Department's publication is available at http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/c14813.htm(Washington File Pub 04/27/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=April&x=20050427155413dmslahrellek0.2537195&t=is/is-latest.html)
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1. State Department Issues Country Reports on Terrorism 2004
2. Extension of Biometric Passport Deadline Unlikely
According to the Washington File, the House Judiciary Chairman sent a March 31, 2005 letter to the European Commission that stated that it was unlikely that there would be an additional extension of the requirement that Visa Waiver Program (VWP) governments issue passports on or after October 26, 2005 that are tamper-resistant, machine-readable, and contain a biometric identifier. The article states that VWP enables the citizens of 27 countries to visit the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. (Washington File Pub 04/22/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Apr/22-895027.html )
3. USDA Issues Epidemiological Summary on Canadian BSE Cases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a press release announcing the results of its epidemiological review of Canada's bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases. The USDA's review found that Canada's epidemiological efforts exceeded levels recommended by an international team of BSE experts and also noted that the geographic and temporal proximity of the Canadian BSE cases suggests that they may have a common exposure point. (USDA news release, dated 04/29/05, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/news/2005/04/bseepisum_vs.html)
4. APHIS Draft Document on Identification of EU Administrative Units for Animal Disease Outbreaks
APHIS is requesting comments by June 20, 2005 on a draft document that will facilitate trade by identifying the smallest administrative jurisdictions within 11 member states of the European Union that would be considered 'regions' in the event of future animal disease outbreaks. The draft also reevaluates the administrative units already identified for Italy. According to an APHIS press release, a country experiencing an animal disease outbreak that is not subdivided into administrative units would be subject to nation-wide trade restrictions, rather than trade restrictions within the administrative unit(s). (D/N 04-081-1, FR Pub 04/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-1881.pdf )
5. BIS' Materials Processing Equipment Committee to Meet on May 17, 2005
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that its Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) will hold an open meeting on May 17, 2005 in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 04/29/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-8616.pdf)