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USTR Seeks Comments On WTO Talks
by Bara Vaida
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) wants to hear the public's reaction to the United States' negotiating objectives during the round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization meeting in Doha, Qatar in November. The agency has asked for public comments, due May 1, which will be considered as the administration develops its positions for U.S. participation in future WTO negotiations.
"The declaration launching new global-trade negotiations lays the ground work for trade liberalization that can lead to greater growth, opportunity and development around the world and in the United States," said USTR Robert Zoellick in a statement. "We need to hear from all sectors and interests to ensure that we are aggressively pursuing issues of concern and making full use of the opportunities in the WTO to expand market access and strengthen the rules of the trading system."
The request for comments, to be published in the Federal Register, seeks input on the general U.S. negotiating objectives, as well as country-specific and product- specific issues.
Another Kind Of Summit In The Rockies
The U.S. Council for International Business is gearing up to host the International Chamber of Commerce's 34th World Congress in Denver on May 6-8. Serving as president of the ICC is former U.S. West Chairman and CEO Richard McCormick, who plans to make the conference "a milestone in the partnership between business and government."
The Denver congress will mark the first time in 25 years that the United States has hosted the biennial business gathering. Overarching themes of the conference are expected to be addressing the questions of businesses' role in spreading the benefits of the global economy, and access to technology throughout the world and how business can contribute to an international framework of laws and regulations.
Japan To Regulate E-Auction Sites
Japan's government last Friday decided to amend a law governing trade of antiques to include regulations of online auction sites and operator of those sites to prevent the sale of stolen goods on the Internet, according to Japan Today. The operators will be required to register their sites with the government and display a seal of approval on their Web sites if they meet related standards by a national government watchdog.
Intel Beefing Up Indian Investment
Intel's India Development Center will more than double its staff strength over the next two years at an estimated additional investment of $25 million, the Times of India reported. The company has invested $25 million in the center, and it is already Intel's largest non-manufacturing site in Asia. According to Intel's director for south Asia, Avtar Saini, "India is a strategic resource center, and we are looking at transferring more projects to India on a regular basis...I would not be surprised if we grow to a strength of 2,000 within the next two year." The Intel center expects its employment to hit 1,000 by the end of 2002.
Global IT Alliance Reappoints Chairman
The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) unanimously re-appointed George Newstrom as its chairman. Newstrom, who recently retired from EDS as senior vice president, is also Virginia's secretary of technology. WITSA is a consortium of 46 information technology industry associations. The Information Technology Association of America serves as the secretariat of WITSA. Among the global issues the group will address this year are IT spending, e-commerce, trade negotiations, digital opportunities and information security.
Romanian Senate Tunes Into EU E-Commerce
Last week, the Romanian Senate approved e-commerce legislation designed to shore up Romanian law with European Union policies. The law is geared toward facilitating the use of the Internet to conduct commercial activities, such as buying and selling goods and services and online banking. The new law includes some penal and civil sanctions for e-commerce crimes, including annulling contracts, fines and jail times for such things as e-payment forgery. Romania's Chamber of Deputies approved a similar bill in November, according to EuropeMedia.net
According to an Economic Commission report, the e-commerce law shores up the Romanian legal system with EU regulations regarding information services.
Socially Responsible Computer-Users Unite
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) has announced a new coalition of computer professionals, human rights workers and human rights organizations aimed at using technology to help protect human rights workers worldwide. The coalition, called Privaterra, has conducted training courses in Latin America and is planning more elsewhere in the world.
Privaterra provides human rights workers with technology and teaches them how to secure their information and communications. The group also is building a secure clearinghouse of information and resources for privacy and security of human rights organizations. One objective is to prevent communications from being intercepted that can put individuals in danger, CPSR said.
New Zealand Drafts Anti-Terrorism Proposal
The New Zealand government has drafted proposals that would allow police with search warrants to obtain computer passwords in the name of anti-terrorism, the New Zealand Herald reports. The proposals, prepared by law enforcement and judicial authorities, would require New Zealand computer users to help police execute search warrants on computers. This would include handing over passwords and encryption codes or "keys." The proposal might be law by July, the report said.
Washington To Host Hague Treaty Discussion
A brown bag lunch on the negotiation of an international treaty on jurisdiction in cross-border online transactions will be held April 16 in Washington. The meeting will be held to hear views from interested U.S. parties on the next round of negotiations of the draft Convention on Jurisdiction and Private Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters being negotiated under the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
At the Washington hearing will be several U.S. government negotiators. The negotiation will be held in The Hague, Netherlands on April 22-24.
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