The DDTC is reminding interested parties that the Defense Trade Advisory Group will meet on November 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Topics to be discussed are: the process to transfer articles from the USML to the CCL; definitions for "public domain" in the ITAR and "publicly available" in the EAR to determine if it is possible to develop a single term and definition that would be applicable to both regulations; and the "single form" proposed to replace all existing State, Treasury and Commerce license applications. Agenda topics will be posted on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls’ website (www.pmddtc.state.gov) approximately 10 days prior to the meeting. Persons wishing to attend the meeting must notify the DTAG by close of business, November 4, 2011.
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a State Department proposed rule entitled: "International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List Category VIII and Addition of Definition for "Specially Designed."
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the State Department's proposed rule entitled: "International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Implementing the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty Between the United States and Australia and the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty Between the US and UK."
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the State Department's final rule entitled "International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Sudan."
On October 28, 2011, the White House issued a memorandum to heads of executive agencies and departments directing them to create within 90 days a centralized, one-stop shop website called "BusinessUSA" for information regarding federal programs and services relevant to businesses of all sizes that want to begin or increase exporting.
The Bureau of Industry and Security states that four companies agreed to pay a total of $72,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations that each violated the antiboycott provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The companies are ChemGuard Inc, Bank of New York Mellon (Shanghai Branch), World Kitchen LLC, and Tollgrade Communications Inc.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned a key Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant, Martin Guadencio Avendano Ojeda, his two brothers, Hector Manuel and Sergio Avendano Ojeda, and two companies, Autos Mini, a car dealership in Ensenada, Baja California owned by Martin Guadencio Avendano Ojeda, and Autodromo Culiacan, an auto race track located in Culiacan, Sinaloa owned by Martin and his brother Hector Manuel Avendano. As a result of these designations, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designees and any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen.
On October 27, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control made a number of changes to its "Specially Designated Nationals" List. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has sent a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget entitled: "Control of Gas Turbine Engines and Related Items the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List"
The Bureau of Industry and Security has sent a final rule to the Office of Management and Budget entitled: "Export and Reexport License Requirements for Certain Microwave and Millimeter Wave Electronic Components."