CSMS Message: 95-000456

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : LISA CROSBY

SUBJECT : MFN-AZERBAIJAN

DATE : 05/10/95

5130071
MAY 10, 1995

CATEGORY : MFN CO:TP LAC

TO : PORT DIRECTORS

FROM : DIRECTOR
TRADE PROGRAMS DIVISION

RE : EXTENSION OF MOST-FAVORED-NATION STATUS TO
AZERBAIJAN

PASS TO : IMPORT SPECIALISTS, INSPECTORS AND OTHER
INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS BROKERS AND IMPORTERS

BACKGROUND

IN PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 6352 OF OCTOBER 9, 1991, (56
FEDERAL REGISTER 51317), THE PRESIDENT PROCLAIMED THAT THE
"AGREEMENT ON TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS" WOULD ENTER
INTO FORCE AND NONDISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT WOULD BE EXTENDED TO
PRODUCTS OF THE U.S.S.R. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE
AGREEMENT ON THE DATE OF EXCHANGE OF WRITTEN NOTICES OF
ACCEPTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XVII OF THE AGREEMENT.
SUBSEQUENTLY, THE U.S.S.R WAS SUCCEEDED BY TWELVE INDEPENDENT
STATES, INCLUDING THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN.

IN A FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE DATED MAY 5, 1995 (60 FEDERAL
REGISTER 22435), THE OFFICE OF THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
INDICATED THAT AN EXCHANGE OF DIPLOMATIC NOTES WITH THE REPUBLIC
OF AZERBAIJAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XVII OF THE AGREEMENT,
AS MODIFIED BY TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS AND RETITLED "AGREEMENT ON
TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE
REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN," TOOK PLACE IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN ON APRIL
21, 1995. ACCORDINGLY, THE AGREEMENT BECAME EFFECTIVE ON APRIL
21, 1995, WITH RESPECT TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN, AND MFN
TREATMENT IS EXTENDED TO PRODUCTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
AS OF APRIL 21, 1995, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT AND AS
PROVIDED FOR IN PROCLAMATION 6352 OF OCTOBER 9, 1991.

ACTION

1. PRODUCTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ARE DUTIABLE AT THE
COLUMN 1 RATES OF DUTY AS TO MERCHANDISE ENTERED OR
WITHDRAWN FROM WAREHOUSE FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR AFTER APRIL
21, 1995.

2. AS TO MERCHANDISE ERRONEOUSLY ENTERED SUBJECT TO COLUMN 2
RATES OF DUTY, IMPORTERS MAY WRITE TO THE PORT DIRECTORS OF
THE PORTS WHERE THE GOODS WERE ENTERED TO REQUEST THAT THE
ENTRIES BE LIQUIDATED AT THE PROPER RATE OF DUTY. NORMAL
PROTEST PROCEDURES MAY ALSO BE USED.

PERSONS WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE SHOULD CONTACT LISA
CROSBY, TRADE PROGRAMS DIVISION, AT (202) 927-0163.

JOYCE METZGER