Mechanical Transfer Presses 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.

SUMMARY:

Upon request of respondent Komatsu Ltd., the Commission has determined to conduct a portion of its hearing in the above-captioned investigation scheduled for April 4, 2000, in camera. See Commission rules 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4) (19 CFR 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 CFR 201.35(a), (c)(1)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donnette Rimmer, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, telephone 202-205-0663, e-mail drimmer@usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter may be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-3105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Commission believes that Komatsu, Ltd. has justified the need for a closed session. Komatsu, Ltd. seeks a closed session to allow for a discussion of the U.S. industry's performance and the consequences of the antidumping order. 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 public presentations by those supporting continuation of the order and those supporting revocation of the order, with questions from the Commission. In addition, the hearing will include a 30-minute in camera session for a confidential presentation by Komatsu Ltd. and for questions from the Commission relating to the business proprietary information (“BPI”), followed by a 30-minute in camera rebuttal presentation by those supporting continuation of the order. 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 CFR 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 CFR 201.39) that, in her opinion, a portion of the Commission's hearing in Mechanical Transfer Presses from Japan, Inv. No. 731-TA-429 (Review), may be closed to the public to prevent the disclosure of BPI.