Topics in Brief

• Author: International Law Group

N O.A.A. issues guidelines for research and exploration of R.M.S. Titanic

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) has issued final guidelines for the future research on, and exploration of, the R..M.S. Titanic. Pursuant to the R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 [Pub.Law 99-513, 100 Stat. 2082], U.S. authorities developed the guidelines in consultation with Canada, France, the UK, and other interested countries. Pending the adoption of an international agreement on the Titanic, the guidelines ban any research or exploration that would physically alter, disturb or salvage the vessel. The preferred preservation policy for the Titanic and its artifacts is to be in-situ preservation. Thus, only educational, scientific or cultural interests may justify recovery or excavation of the wreck.

Citation: 66 Federal Register 18905 (April 12, 2001).

U S. and EU resolve dispute over EU banana regime

On April 11, 2001, the U.S. and the European Union (EU) announced their agreement to resolve their long-standing dispute over the EU banana regime. See 2000 International Law Update 191. The EU will implement a "tariff-only" system by 2006. During the transition period, companies will be able to import bananas into the EU through import licenses based on past trading activities, beginning on July 1, 2001. At the same time, the U.S. will lift the sanctions that it imposed on the EU with WTO authorization in April 1999. - The U.S. had challenged the EU banana regime that favors banana imports from former colonies and dependent territories and excludes Central American and Latin American bananas traded by U.S. companies. In 1997, the World Trade Organization (WTO) found in favor of the U.S. (WTO Dispute WT/DS27).

Citation: U.S. Trade Representative press release 01-23 (April 11, 2001) and related fact sheet; European Union in US -- new release No 27/01 (April 11, 2001).

Australian government bars Shell takeover attempt

On April 23, 2001, Peter Costello, the Australian Treasurer (equivalent to a finance minister) turned down a plan by the Royal Dutch-Shell Group to purchase Woodside Petroleum, Ltd...