[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27747-27748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13426]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION


Ferrosilicon From Brazil, China, Kazakstan, Russia, Ukraine, and 
Venezuela

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission (Commission).

ACTION: Request for comments regarding the institution of section 
751(b) review investigations concerning the Commission's affirmative 
determinations in the following investigations:

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                                                Action taken by the Commission                           Action taken by the Dept. of Commerce          
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             Country                                        Date of       Federal Register                                            Federal Register  
                                    Investigation No.    determination        citation              Order No.        Date of order        citation      
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Brazil..........................  731-TA-641                  01/24/94  59 FR 10165           A-351-820                   03/14/94  59 FR 11769         
China...........................  731-TA-567                  03/04/93  58 FR 13503           A-570-819                   03/11/93  58 FR 13448         
Kazakstan.......................  731-TA-566                  03/23/93  58 FR 16847           A-843-804                   04/07/93  58 FR 18079         
Russia..........................  731-TA-568                  06/16/93  58 FR 34064           A-821-804                   06/24/93  58 FR 34243         
Ukraine.........................  731-TA-569                  03/23/93  58 FR 16847           A-823-804                   04/07/93  58 FR 18079         
Venezuela.......................  303-TA-23                   06/16/93  58 FR 34064           C-307-808                   05/10/93  58 FR 27539         
                                  731-TA-570                  06/16/93  58 FR 34064           A-307-807                   06/24/93  58 FR 34243         
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SUMMARY: The Commission invites comments from the public on whether 
changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant the institution of 
investigations pursuant to section 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(the Act),<SUP>1</SUP> to review the affirmative determinations of the 
Commission in the above investigations. The purpose of the proposed 
review investigations is to determine whether revocation of the 
existing countervailing duty order on imports of ferrosilicon from 
Venezuela and the antidumping orders on imports of ferrosilicon from 
Brazil, China, Kazakstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela, is likely to 
lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury.<SUP>2</SUP> 
Ferrosilicon is provided for in subheadings 7202.21.10, 7202.21.50, 
7202.21.75, 7202.21.90, and 7202.29.00, of the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States.
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    \1\ 19 U.S.C. 1675(b).
    \2\ 19 U.S.C. 1675(b)(2)(A).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Fischer (202-205-3179) or Vera 
Libeau (202-205-3176), Office of Investigations, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-
impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting 
the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Persons with mobility 
impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the 
Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. 
General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by 
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accessing its internet server at http://www.usitc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 24, 1998, the Commission received a request to review its 
affirmative determination, as it applied to imports from Brazil (the 
request), in the light of changed circumstances, pursuant to section 
751(b) of the Act.<SUP>3</SUP> The request was filed by counsel on 
behalf of Associacao Brasileira dos Productores de Ferroligas e de 
Silicio Metalico (ABRAFE), Companhia Brasileira Carbureto de Calcio 
(CBCC), Companhia de Ferroligas de Bahia (FERBASA), Nova Era Silicon S/
A, Italmagnesio S/A-Industria e Comercio, Rima Industrial S/A, and 
Companhia Ferroligas Minas Gerais (Minasligas).
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    \3\ 19 U.S.C. 1675(b).
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    The alleged changed circumstances include: (1) The revelation of a 
nationwide ferrosilicon price-fixing conspiracy maintained by major 
U.S. ferrosilicon producers from at least as early as late 1989 to at 
least mid-1991. Following criminal price-fixing investigations by the 
Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Elkem Metals Co. 
and American Alloys pleaded guilty in 1995 and 1996, respectively, to 
conspiring to fix prices of commodity ferrosilicon products. SKW Metals 
& Alloys Inc. and its executive vice-president were found guilty in 
1997 of conspiring to fix prices of commodity ferrosilicon products, 
and; (2) the consequential invalidation of the Commission's 
determination of material injury that was based upon improper and 
distorted price data.
    Because the alleged changed circumstances predominantly relate to 
the domestic industry and are not limited to imports from Brazil, 
submissions should also address the possibility of the Commission self-
initiating reviews of the outstanding orders on China, Kazakstan, 
Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

Written Comments Requested

    Pursuant to Sec. 207.45(b) of the Commission's rules of practice 
and procedure,<SUP>4</SUP> the Commission requests comments concerning 
whether the alleged changed circumstances are sufficient to warrant 
institution of review investigations.
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    \4\ 19 CFR 207.45(b).
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Written Submissions

    In accordance with 201.8 of the Commission's rules,<SUP>5</SUP> the 
signed original and 14 copies of all written submissions must be filed 
with the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20436. All comments must be filed no later than June 19, 1998, which is 
at least 30 days after the date of publication of this notice in the

[[Page 27748]]

Federal Register. The Commission's determination regarding initiation 
of review investigations is due within 30 days of the close of the 
comment period. Any person desiring to submit a document (or portion 
thereof) to the Commission in confidence must request business 
confidential treatment under Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's 
rules.<SUP>6</SUP> Such requests should be directed to the Secretary to 
the Commission and must include a full statement of the reasons why the 
Commission should grant such treatment. Each sheet must be clearly 
marked at the top ``Confidential Business Information.'' The Commission 
will either accept the submission in confidence or return it. All 
nonconfidential written submissions will be available for public 
inspection in the Office of the Secretary.
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    \5\ 19 CFR 201.8.
    \6\ 19 CFR 201.6.
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    Copies of the non-confidential version of the request and any other 
documents in this matter are available for public inspection during 
regular business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the 
Secretary to the Commission; telephone 202-205-2000.

    Issued: May 12, 1998.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-13426 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P