Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/264

 102 STAT. 1268

PUBLIC LAW 100-418—AUG. 23, 1988

tion (c), in connection with matters referred to in subsection (a), may be disclosed upon request to— "(A) the individuals described in paragraph (1); and "(B) the appropriate advisory committee established under this section. "(3) Information submitted in confidence by officers or employees of the United States to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, or to any advisory committee established under subsection (c), may be disclosed in accordance with rules issued by the United States Trade Representative and the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, Defense, Agriculture, or other executive departments, as appropriate, after consultation with the relevant advisory committees established under subsection (c). Such rules shall define the categories of information which require restricted or confidential handling by such committee considering the extent to which public disclosure of such information can reasonably be expected to prejudice the development of trade policy, priorities, or United States negotiating objectives. Such rules shall, to the maximum extent feasible, permit meaningful consultations by advisory committee members with persons affected by matters referred to in subsection (a). "(h) ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUPPORT.—The United States Trade Representative, and the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, Defense, Agriculture, the Treasury, or other executive departments, as appropriate, shall provide such staff, information, personnel, and administrative services and assistance to advisory committees established under subsection (c) as such committees may reasonably require to c any out their activities, "(i) CONSULTATION WITH ADVISORY COMMITTEES; PROCEDURES; NONACCEPTANCE OF COMMITTEE A D VI C E OR RECOMMENDATIONS.—It

shall be the responsibility of the United States Trade Representative, in conjunction with the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, Agriculture, the Treasury, or other executive departments, as appropriate, to adopt procedures for consultation with and obtaining information and advice from the advisory committees established under subsection (c) on a continuing and timely basis. Such consultation shall include the provision of information to each advisory committee as to— "(1) significant issues and developments; and "(2) overall negotiating objectives and positions of the United States and other parties; with respect to matters referred to in subsection (a). The United States Trade Representative shall not be bound by the advice or recommendations of such advisory committees, but shall inform the advisory committees of significant departures from such advice or recommendations made. In addition, in the course of consultations with the Congress under this title, information on the advice and information provided by advisory committees shall be made available to congressional advisers. President of U.S. "(j) PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR GROUPS.—In addition to any advisory committee established under this section, the President shall provide adequate, timely and continuing opportunity for the submission on an informal basis (and, if such information is submitted under the provisions of subsection (g), on a confidential basis) by private organizations or groups, representing government, labor, industry, agriculture, small business, service industries, consumer

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