Generalized System of Preferences; Expedited Review of Melamine Institutional Dinnerware Products Imported From Indonesia

I. The GSP Program

The GSP program grants duty-free treatment to designated eligible articles that are imported from designated beneficiary development countries. The GSP program was authorized by Title of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act'') (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.), and was implemented by Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, as modified by subsequent Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. The GSP regulations provide for an annual GSP review, unless otherwise specified by Federal Register notice (15 CFR 2007.3). This notice solicits public comments on whether to suspend GSP eligibility for melamine institutional tableware from Indonesia as sought in a petition from the American Melamine Institutional Tableware Association (AMITA). Petitioners argue that the GSP program was not intended to benefit manufacturers who sell their products as less than fair value to the injury of the U.S. industry.

II. Public Comments

All written comments on whether GSP eligibility for melamine institutional tableware from Indonesia should be suspended should be addressed to: GSP Subcommittee, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, N.W., Room 518, Washington, D.C. 20508. All submissions must be in English and should conform to the information requirements of 15 CFR 2007. Furthermore, each party providing comments should indicate on the first page of the submission its name. A party must provide fourteen copies of its comments which must be received by the Chairman of the GSP Subcommittee no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 1997. Comments received after the deadline will not be accepted. If the comments contain business confidential information, fourteen copies of a non-confidential version must also be submitted. A justification as to why the information contained in the submission should be treated confidentially must be included in the submission. In addition, the submissions containing confidential information should be clearly marked ``confidential'' at the top and bottom of each page of the submission. The version that does not contain confidential information should also be clearly marked, at the top and bottom of each page, ``public version'' or ``non-confidential''. Written comments submitted in connection with this expedited review, except for information granted ``business confidential'' status pursuant to 15 CFR 2007.7, will be available for public inspection shortly after the filing deadline by appointment only with Brenda Webb of the USTR Public Reading Room at (202) 395-6186. The AMITA petition also is available for review at the Reading Room. Other requests and questions should be directed to the GSP Information Center at USTR by calling (202) 395-6971. Frederick L. Montgomery, Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. 97-13657 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190-01-M