[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37759-37760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17798]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement With the 
Republic of Colombia

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is conducting a 
review of labor-related issues in the context of the free trade 
agreement (FTA) between the United States and the Republic of Colombia 
(Colombia) signed on November 22, 2006, and amended on June 28, 2007. 
The FTA has not yet entered into effect. As part of that review, the 
interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) seeks comment from the 
public to assist the USTR in working with the Colombian government to 
secure continued progress in ensuring that Colombia's workers can fully 
exercise their fundamental labor rights.

DATES: Written comments are due by noon, September 15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions 
please contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff 
Committee, at (202) 395-3475.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
written comments, contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade 
Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-3475. All other questions should 
be directed to Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade 
Representative for Latin America, at (202) 395-9446.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 18, 2003, in accordance with 
section 2104(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 2002, the USTR notified Congress 
of the President's intent to enter into negotiations on an FTA with 
Colombia, identified specific objectives for the negotiations, and 
solicited comment from interested persons on matters relevant to the 
FTA. 69 FR 7532. On June 23, 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor with 
the USTR and U.S. Department of State, issued a request for comments 
from the public regarding labor rights in Andean countries, including 
Colombia. 69 FR No. 120. On August 24, 2006, the President notified 
Congress of his intent to enter into an FTA with Colombia, and 
representatives of the two governments signed the FTA on November 22, 
2006. On June 28, 2007, the Parties amended the FTA to reflect the 
provisions of the May 10, 2007 Congressional-Executive Agreement on 
Trade Policy. The full text of the FTA is available at http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/colombia-fta/final-text.
    Issues have been raised about the extent to which Colombians are 
able to exercise their fundamental labor rights, as referenced in the 
FTA. In that light, the President has asked the USTR to assess what 
steps can be taken, along with the government of Colombia, to secure 
continued progress in ensuring that Colombia's workers can exercise 
their fundamental labor rights. To assist the USTR in fulfilling this 
task, the Chairman of the TPSC invites interested persons to provide 
written comments on these questions and requests. Specific questions 
for comment are:
    (1) Are there gaps in Colombia's labor law regime, including its 
enforcement mechanisms, with respect to providing for the fundamental 
labor rights of its citizens? If there are gaps, please identify them 
and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
    (2) Is the Colombian government taking adequate steps to protect 
Colombia's workers from acts of intimidation or violence that impede 
the exercise of their fundamental labor rights? If there are gaps, 
please identify them and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
    (3) Has the government of Colombia made sufficient progress in its 
efforts to prosecute the perpetrators of violence and intimidation 
against unionists exercising their fundamental labor rights? If there 
are gaps, please identify them and provide specific suggestions for 
improvement.
    The public is also invited to comment on other issues they believe 
relevant to the FTA, including the potential benefits of the agreement.
    Interested persons may submit written comments by noon, September 
15, 2009 (see requirements for submission below). Written comments 
should be submitted in English and must state clearly the position 
taken and describe with particularity the supporting rationale.
    Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions: To ensure the most 
timely

[[Page 37760]]

and expeditious receipt and consideration of comments, USTR has 
arranged to accept on-line submissions via http://www.regulations.gov. 
To submit comments via http://www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2009-0021 on the home page and click ``go''. The site will provide 
a search-results page listing all documents associated with this 
docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' under 
``Document Type'' on the left side of the search-results page, and 
click on the link entitled ``Send a Comment or Submission.'' (For 
further information on using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site, 
please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on 
``How to Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The http://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of 
making submissions by filling in a ``General Comments'' field, or by 
attaching a document. We expect that most submissions will be provided 
in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to 
type ``See attached'' in the ``General Comments'' field.
    Submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) are 
preferred. If you use an application other than those two, please 
identify the application in your submission. For any comments submitted 
electronically containing business confidential information, the file 
name of the business confidential version should begin with the 
characters ``BC''. Any page containing business confidential 
information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top 
of that page. If you file comments containing business confidential 
information you must also submit a public version of the comments. The 
file name of the public version should begin with the character ``P''. 
The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed by the name of the person or 
entity submitting the comments. If you submit comments that contain no 
business confidential information, the file name should begin with the 
character ``P'', followed by the name of the person or entity 
submitting the comments. Electronic submissions should not attach 
separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a 
cover letter should be included in the comments you submit. Similarly, 
to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other 
attachments to a submission in the same file as the submission itself 
and not as separate files.
    We strongly urge submitters to use electronic filing. If an on-line 
submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with 
Ms. Blue prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Ms. 
Blue may be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information concerning 
the Office of the United States Trade Representative may be obtained by 
accessing its Internet Web site (http://www.ustr.gov).

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-17798 Filed 7-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W9-P