[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 27807] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-12857] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. AA1921-115 (Review)] Synthetic Methionine From Japan; Notice of Commission Determination To Conduct a Portion of the Hearing In Camera
Agency
U.S. International Trade Commission.
Action
Closure of a portion of a Commission hearing.
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Summary
Upon request of Japanese producer Sumitomo Chemical Co., Limited (``Sumitomo''), the Commission has determined to conduct a portion of its hearing in the above-captioned investigations scheduled for May 18, 1999, in camera. See Commission rules 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4) (19 C.F.R. 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4)). The remainder of the hearing will be open to the public. The Commission has determined that the seven-day advance notice of the change to a meeting was not possible. See Commission rule 201.35(a), (c)(1) (19 C.F.R. 201.35(a), (c)(1)).
For Further Information Contact
Andrea C. Casson, Office of General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, telephone 202-205-3105, e-mail acasson@usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter may be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.
Supplementary Information
The Commission believes that Sumitomo has justified the need for a closed session. Sumitomo seeks a closed session to allow for a discussion of it business operations and those of the domestic industry. In this investigation, the aggregate data of the domestic industry is business proprietary information (BPI). Because Sumitomo's discussion of its own operations and of the domestic industry's data will necessitate disclosure of business proprietary information (BPI), it can only occur if a portion of the hearing is held in camera. In making this decision, the Commission nevertheless reaffirms its belief that whenever possible its business should be conducted in public. The hearing will begin with a public presentation by the parties opposing revocation of the antidumping duty order (the domestic producers) and the party supporting revocation (Sumitomo), with questions from the Commission. In addition, the hearing will include a 15-minute in camera session for a confidential presentation by the Sumitomo and for questions from the Commission relating to the BPI, followed by a 15-minute in camera rebuttal presentation by the domestic producers. For any in camera session the room will be cleared of all persons except those who have been granted access to BPI under a Commission administrative protective order (APO) and are included on the Commission's APO service list in this investigation. See 19 C.F.R. 201.35(b)(1), (2). The time for the parties' presentations and rebuttals in the in camera session will be taken from their respective overall allotments for the hearing. All persons planning to attend the in camera portions of the hearing should be prepared to present proper identification.
Authority: The General Counsel has certified, pursuant to Commission Rule 201.39 (19 C.F.R. 201.39) that, in her opinion, a portion of the Commission's hearing in Synthetic Methionine from Japan, Inv. No. AA1921-115 (Review), may be closed to the public to prevent the disclosure of BPI.
Issued: May 17, 1999.
By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-12857 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P