[Federal Register: March 5, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 43)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 9959-9968] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05mr97-10] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control 31 CFR Part 536 Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is issuing the Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations to implement the President's declaration of a national emergency and imposition of sanctions against significant foreign narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia. EFFECTIVE DATE: February 28, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220; tel.: 202/622-2520. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic and Facsimile Availability This document is available as an electronic file on The Federal Bulletin Board the day of publication in the Federal Register. By modem, dial 202/512-1387 and type ``/GO FAC,'' or call 202/512-1530 for disk or paper copies. This file is available for downloading without charge in WordPerfect 5.1, ASCII, and Adobe AcrobatTM readable (*.PDF) formats. For Internet access, the address for use with the World Wide Web (Home Page), Telnet, or FTP protocol is: fedbbs.access.gpo.gov. The document is also accessible for downloading in ASCII format without charge from Treasury's Electronic Library (``TEL'') in the ``Business, Trade and Labor Mall'' of the FedWorld bulletin board. By modem, dial 703/321-3339, and select the appropriate self-expanding file in TEL. For Internet access, use one of the following protocols: Telnet = fedworld.gov (192.239.93.3); World Wide Web (Home Page) = http://www.fedworld.gov; FTP = ftp.fedworld.gov (192.239.92.205). Additional information concerning the programs of the Office of Foreign Assets Control is available for downloading from the Office's Internet Home Page: http://www.ustreas.gov/treasury/services/ fac/fac.html, or in fax form through the Office's 24-hour fax-on-demand service: call 202/622-0077 using a fax machine, fax modem, or (within the United States) a touch-tone telephone. Background On October 21, 1995, the President issued Executive Order 12978, declaring a national emergency with respect to ``the actions of significant foreign narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia, and the unparalleled violence, corruption, and harm that they cause in the United States and abroad,'' [[Page 9960]] and invoking the authority, inter alia, of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). The order blocks all property and interests in property of four persons listed in an Annex to the order, as well as the property and interests in property of other persons who are designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. The order also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the order. In implementation of the order, the Treasury Department is issuing the Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations (the ``Regulations''). The Regulations block all property and interests in property of (1) foreign persons designated in Executive Order 12978; (2) foreign persons designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, because they are found: (a) to play a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Colombia; or (b) materially to assist in, or provide financial or technological support for or goods or services in support of, the narcotics trafficking activities of persons designated in or pursuant to the order. The Regulations also block all property and interests in property of persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to be owned or controlled by, or to act for or on behalf of, any other designated person. Persons coming within any of these categories are called specially designated narcotics traffickers (``SDNTs''). Executive Order 12978 blocks all property or interests in property of SDNTs that are in the United States, that hereinafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of U.S. persons, including their overseas branches. Section 2 of Executive Order 12978 also prohibits any transaction or dealing by U.S. persons or in the United States in property or interests in property of SDNTs, including any transaction that evades or avoids, or that has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in the order. Transactions otherwise prohibited under this part but found to be consistent with U.S. policy may be authorized by a general license contained in subpart E or by a specific license issued pursuant to the procedures described in Sec. 536.801 of subpart H. Civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Regulations are described in subpart G. Since the Regulations involve a foreign affairs function, the provisions of Executive Order 12866 and the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), requiring notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public participation, and delay in effective date, are inapplicable. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) does not apply. Wherever possible, however, it is the practice of the Office of Foreign Assets Control to receive written submissions or hold informal consultations with interested parties concerning any rule or other public document. Paperwork Reduction Act The Regulations are being issued without prior notice and public comment procedure pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), the collections of information contained in the Regulations have been submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') pending public comment, and have been assigned control number 1505-0163. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid control number. The collections of information in the Regulations are contained in Secs. 536.503, 536.504, subpart F, and Sec. 536.801. This information is required by the Office of Foreign Assets Control for licensing, compliance, civil penalty, and enforcement purposes. This information will be used to determine the eligibility of applicants for the benefits provided through specific licenses, to determine whether persons subject to the Regulations are in compliance with applicable requirements, and to determine whether and to what extent civil penalty or other enforcement action is appropriate. The likely respondents and record keepers are individuals and business organizations. The estimated total annual reporting and/or recordkeeping burden: 500 hours. The estimated annual burden per respondent/record keeper varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 1 hour. Estimated number of respondents and/or record keepers: 500. Estimated annual frequency of responses: 1-12. Comments are invited on: (a) whether these collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collections of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Comments concerning the above information, the accuracy of estimated average annual burden, and suggestions for reducing this burden should be directed to OMB, Paperwork Reduction Project, control number 1505-0163, Washington, DC 20503, with a copy to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW--Annex, Washington, DC 20220. Any such comments should be submitted not later than May 5, 1997. Comments on aspects of the Regulations other than those involving collections of information should not be sent to OMB. List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 536 Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, banking, Blocking of assets, Drug traffic control, Narcotics trafficking, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Specially designated narcotics traffickers, Transfer of assets. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 31 CFR part 536 is added to read as follows: PART 536--NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Subpart A--Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations Sec. 536.101 Relation of this part to other laws and regulations. Subpart B--Prohibitions 536.201 Prohibited transactions involving blocked property. 536.202 Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part. 536.203 Holding of certain types of blocked property in interest- bearing accounts. 536.204 Evasions; attempts; conspiracies. 536.205 Exempt transactions. [[Page 9961]] Subpart C--General Definitions 536.301 Blocked account; blocked property. 536.302 Effective date. 536.303 Entity. 536.304 Foreign person. 536.305 General license. 536.306 Information and informational materials. 536.307 Interest. 536.308 License. 536.309 Person. 536.310 Property; property interest. 536.311 Narcotics trafficking. 536.312 Specially designated narcotics trafficker. 536.313 Specific license. 536.314 Transfer. 536.315 United States. 536.316 United States person; U.S. person. 536.317 U.S. financial institution. Subpart D--Interpretations 536.401 Reference to amended sections. 536.402 Effect of amendment. 536.403 Termination and acquisition of an interest in blocked property. 536.404 Setoffs prohibited. 536.405 Transactions incidental to a licensed transaction. 536.406 Provision of services. 536.407 Offshore transactions. 536.408 Alleged change in ownership or control of an entity designated as a specially designated narcotics trafficker. 536.409 Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions. Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy 536.501 Effect of license or authorization. 536.502 Exclusion from licenses and authorizations. 536.503 Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions. 536.504 Investment and reinvestment of certain funds. 536.505 Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges authorized. 536.506 Provision of certain legal services authorized. 536.507 Authorization of emergency medical services. Subpart F--Reports 536.601 Required records. 536.602 Reports to be furnished on demand. 536.603 Registration of persons holding blocked property subject to Sec. 536.201. Subpart G--Penalties 536.701 Penalties. 536.702 Prepenalty notice. 536.703 Response to prepenalty notice. 536.704 Penalty notice. 536.705 Administrative collection; referral to United States Department of Justice. Subpart H--Procedures 536.801 Licensing. 536.802 Decisions. 536.803 Amendment, modification, or revocation. 536.804 Rulemaking. 536.805 Delegation by the Secretary of the Treasury. 536.806 Rules governing availability of information. Subpart I--Paperwork Reduction Act 536.901 Paperwork Reduction Act notice. Authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 50 U.S.C. 1601-1641, 1701-1706; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 12978, 60 FR 54579 (October 24, 1995), 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 415. Subpart A--Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations Sec. 536.101 Relation of this part to other laws and regulations. (a) This part is separate from, and independent of, the other parts of this chapter. Differing foreign policy and national security contexts may result in differing interpretations of similar language among the parts of this chapter. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to those other parts authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to any other provision of law or regulation authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part. (b) No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part relieves the involved parties from complying with any other applicable laws or regulations. Subpart B--Prohibitions Sec. 536.201 Prohibited transactions involving blocked property. Except as authorized by regulations, orders, directives, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date, no property or interests in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of U.S. persons, including their overseas branches, may be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn or otherwise dealt in. Sec. 536.202 Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part. (a) Any transfer after the effective date, which is in violation of any provision of this part or of any regulation, order, directive, ruling, instruction, license, or other authorization hereunder and involves any property held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has or has had an interest since such date, is null and void and shall not be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any interest in or right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to such property. (b) No transfer before the effective date shall be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to, or interest in, any property held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has an interest, or has had an interest since such date, unless the person with whom such property is held or maintained, prior to such date, had written notice of the transfer or by any written evidence had recognized such transfer. (c) Unless otherwise provided, an appropriate license or other authorization issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control before, during, or after a transfer shall validate such transfer or render it enforceable to the same extent that it would be valid or enforceable but for the provisions of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, this part, and any regulation, order, directive, ruling, instruction, or license issued hereunder. (d) Transfers of property which otherwise would be null and void or unenforceable by virtue of the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to be null and void or unenforceable as to any person with whom such property was held or maintained (and as to such person only) in cases in which such person is able to establish to the satisfaction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control each of the following: (1) Such transfer did not represent a willful violation of the provisions of this part by the person with whom such property was held or maintained; (2) The person with whom such property was held or maintained did not have reasonable cause to know or suspect, in view of all the facts and circumstances known or available to such person, that such transfer required a license or authorization by or pursuant to this part and was not so licensed or authorized, or if a license or authorization did purport to cover the transfer, that such license or authorization had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party or the withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained; and (3) The person with whom such property was held or maintained filed with the Office of Foreign Assets Control a report setting forth in full the circumstances relating to such transfer promptly upon discovery that: (i) Such transfer was in violation of the provisions of this part or any [[Page 9962]] regulation, ruling, instruction, license, or other direction or authorization hereunder; or (ii) Such transfer was not licensed or authorized by the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control; or (iii) If a license did purport to cover the transfer, such license had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party or the withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained. Note to paragraph (d)(3): The filing of a report in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (d)(3) shall not be deemed evidence that the terms of paragraphs (d)(l) and (2) of this section have been satisfied. (e) Unless licensed or authorized pursuant to this part, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is null and void with respect to any property which, on or since the effective date, was held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or in which there existed an interest of a specially designated narcotics trafficker. 536.203 Holding of certain types of blocked property in interest- bearing accounts. (a)(1) Any person, including a U.S. financial institution, currently holding property subject to Sec. 536.201 which, as of the effective date or the date of receipt if subsequent to the effective date, is not being held in an interest-bearing account, or otherwise invested in a manner authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (e.g., Sec. 536.504), shall transfer such property to, or hold such property or cause such property to be held in, an interest-bearing account or interest-bearing status in a U.S. financial institution as of the effective date or the date of receipt if subsequent to the effective date of this section, unless otherwise authorized or directed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. (2) The requirement set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall apply to currency, bank deposits, accounts, obligations, and any other financial or economic resources or assets, and any proceeds resulting from the sale of tangible or intangible property. If interest is credited to an account separate from that in which the interest- bearing asset is held, the name of the account party on both accounts must be the same and must clearly indicate the specially designated narcotics trafficker having an interest in the accounts. If the account is held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, the name of the account to which interest is credited must be the same. (b) For purposes of this section, the term interest-bearing account means a blocked account in a U.S. financial institution earning interest at rates that are commercially reasonable for the amount of funds in the account. Except as otherwise authorized, the funds may not be invested or held in instruments the maturity of which exceeds 90 days. (c) This section does not apply to blocked tangible property, such as chattels, nor does it create an affirmative obligation on the part of the holder of such blocked tangible property to sell or liquidate the property and put the proceeds in a blocked account. However, the Office of Foreign Assets Control may issue licenses permitting or directing sales of tangible property in appropriate cases. 536.204 Evasions; attempts; conspiracies. Any transaction for the purpose of, or which has the effect of, evading or avoiding, or which facilitates the evasion or avoidance of, any of the prohibitions set forth in this part, is hereby prohibited. Any attempt to violate the prohibitions set forth in this part is hereby prohibited. Any conspiracy formed for the purpose of engaging in a transaction prohibited by this part is hereby prohibited. 536.205 Exempt transactions. (a) Personal communications. The prohibitions contained in this part do not apply to any postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or other personal communication, which does not involve the transfer of anything of value. (b) Information and informational materials. (1) The importation from any country and the exportation to any country of information or informational materials as defined in Sec. 536.306, whether commercial or otherwise, regardless of format or medium of transmission, are exempt from the prohibitions and regulations of this part. (2) This section does not authorize transactions related to information and informational materials not fully created and in existence at the date of the transactions, or to the substantive or artistic alteration or enhancement of informational materials, or to the provision of marketing and business consulting services by a U.S. person. Such prohibited transactions include, without limitation, payment of advances for informational materials not yet created and completed, provision of services to market, produce or co-produce, create or assist in the creation of information and informational materials, and payment of royalties to a specially designated narcotics trafficker with respect to income received for enhancements or alterations made by U.S. persons to information or informational materials imported from a specially designated narcotics trafficker. (3) This section does not authorize transactions incident to the exportation of technology that is not informational material as defined in Sec. 536.306(b)(1) or incident to the exportation of goods for use in the transmission of any information. (c) Travel. The prohibitions contained in this part do not apply to transactions ordinarily incident to travel to or from any country, including importation of accompanied baggage for personal use, maintenance within any country including payment of living expenses and acquisition of goods or services for personal use, and arrangement or facilitation of such travel including non-scheduled air, sea, or land voyages. Any transactions entered into by a specially designated narcotics trafficker while traveling in the United States that are outside the scope of those set forth in this paragraph are in violation of Sec. 536.201. Subpart C--General Definitions Sec. 536.301 Blocked account; blocked property. The terms blocked account and blocked property shall mean any account or property subject to the prohibition in Sec. 536.201 held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has an interest, and with respect to which payments, transfers, exportations, withdrawals, or other dealings may not be made or effected except pursuant to an authorization or license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizing such action. Sec. 536.302 Effective date. The term effective date refers to the effective date of the applicable prohibitions and directives contained in this part which is 12:01 a.m. EDT, October 22, 1995, or, in the case of specially designated narcotics traffickers designated after that date, the earlier of the date on which a person receives actual or constructive notice of such designation. Sec. 536.303 Entity. The term entity means a partnership, association, corporation, or other organization, group or subgroup. Sec. 536.304 Foreign person. The term foreign person means any citizen or national of a foreign state (including any such individual who is also a citizen or national of the United [[Page 9963]] States), or any entity not organized solely under the laws of the United States or existing solely in the United States, but does not include a foreign state. Sec. 536.305 General license. The term general license means any license or authorization the terms of which are set forth in this part. Sec. 536.306 Information and informational materials. (a) For purposes of this part, the term information and informational materials means: (1) Publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds, and other information and informational articles. (2) To be considered informational materials, artworks must be classified under chapter subheading 9701, 9702, or 9703 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (b) The terms information and informational materials with respect to U.S. exports do not include items: (1) That were, as of April 30, 1994, or that thereafter become, controlled for export pursuant to section 5 of the Export Administration Act of 1979, 50 U.S.C. App. 2401-2420 (the ``EAA''), or section 6 of the EAA to the extent that such controls promote nonproliferation or antiterrorism policies of the United States, including software as defined in 15 CFR part 772 that is not publicly available (see 15 CFR parts 734 and 772); or (2) With respect to which acts are prohibited by 18 U.S.C. chapter 37. Sec. 536.307 Interest. Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term interest when used with respect to property (e.g., ``an interest in property'') means an interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect. Sec. 536.308 License. Except as otherwise specified, the term license means any license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part. Sec. 536.309 Person. The term person means an individual or entity. Sec. 536.310 Property; property interest. The terms property and property interest include, but are not limited to, money, checks, drafts, bullion, bank deposits, savings accounts, debts, indebtedness, obligations, notes, guarantees, debentures, stocks, bonds, coupons, any other financial instruments, bankers acceptances, mortgages, pledges, liens or other rights in the nature of security, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, trust receipts, bills of sale, any other evidences of title, ownership or indebtedness, letters of credit and any documents relating to any rights or obligations thereunder, powers of attorney, goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, stocks on hand, ships, goods on ships, real estate mortgages, deeds of trust, vendors sales agreements, land contracts, leaseholds, ground rents, real estate and any other interest therein, options, negotiable instruments, trade acceptances, royalties, book accounts, accounts payable, judgments, patents, trademarks or copyrights, insurance policies, safe deposit boxes and their contents, annuities, pooling agreements, services of any nature whatsoever, contracts of any nature whatsoever, and any other property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or interest or interests therein, present, future or contingent. Sec. 536.311 Narcotics trafficking. The term narcotics trafficking means any activity undertaken illicitly to cultivate, produce, manufacture, distribute, sell, finance or transport, or otherwise assist, abet, conspire, or collude with others in illicit activities relating to narcotic drugs, including, but not limited to, cocaine. Sec. 536.312 Specially designated narcotics trafficker. The term specially designated narcotics trafficker means: (a) Persons listed in the annex to Executive Order 12978 (3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p.415); (b) Foreign persons designated by the Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, because they are found: (1) To play a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Colombia; or (2) Materially to assist in, or provide financial or technological support for or goods or services in support of, the narcotics trafficking activities of specially designated narcotics traffickers; and (c) Persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to be owned or controlled by, or to act for or on behalf of, any other specially designated narcotics trafficker. Sec. 536.313 Specific license. The term specific license means any license or authorization not set forth in this part but issued pursuant to this part. Sec. 536.314 Transfer. The term transfer means any actual or purported act or transaction, whether or not evidenced by writing, and whether or not done or performed within the United States, the purpose, intent, or effect of which is to create, surrender, release, convey, transfer, or alter, directly or indirectly, any right, remedy, power, privilege, or interest with respect to any property and, without limitation upon the foregoing, shall include the making, execution, or delivery of any assignment, power, conveyance, check, declaration, deed, deed of trust, power of attorney, power of appointment, bill of sale, mortgage, receipt, agreement, contract, certificate, gift, sale, affidavit, or statement; the making of any payment; the setting off of any obligation or credit; the appointment of any agent, trustee, or fiduciary; the creation or transfer of any lien; the issuance, docketing, filing, or levy of or under any judgment, decree, attachment, injunction, execution, or other judicial or administrative process or order, or the service of any garnishment; the acquisition of any interest of any nature whatsoever by reason of a judgment or decree of any foreign country; the fulfillment of any condition; the exercise of any power of appointment, power of attorney, or other power; or the acquisition, disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of any security. Sec. 536.315 United States. The term United States means the United States, its territories and possessions, and all areas under the jurisdiction or authority thereof. Sec. 536.316 United States person; U.S. person. The term United States person or U.S. person means any United States citizen or national; permanent resident alien; entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches); or any person in the United States. Sec. 536.317 U.S. financial institution. The term U.S. financial institution means any U.S. person (including foreign branches) that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting, transferring, holding, or brokering loans or credits, or purchasing or selling foreign exchange, securities, commodity futures or options, or procuring purchasers and sellers thereof, as principal or agent; including, [[Page 9964]] but not limited to, depository institutions, banks, savings banks, trust companies, securities brokers and dealers, commodity futures and options brokers and dealers, forward contract and foreign exchange merchants, securities and commodities exchanges, clearing corporations, investment companies, employee benefit plans, and U.S. holding companies, U.S. affiliates, or U.S. subsidiaries of any of the foregoing. This term includes those branches, offices and agencies of foreign financial institutions which are located in the United States, but not such institutions' foreign branches, offices, or agencies. Subpart D--Interpretations Sec. 536.401 Reference to amended sections. Except as otherwise specified, reference to any section of this part or to any regulation, ruling, order, instruction, direction, or license issued pursuant to this part shall be deemed to refer to the same as currently amended. Sec. 536.402 Effect of amendment. Any amendment, modification, or revocation of any section of this part or of any order, regulation, ruling, instruction, or license issued by or under the direction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, be deemed to affect any act done or omitted to be done, or any civil or criminal suit or proceeding commenced or pending prior to such amendment, modification, or revocation. All penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities under any such order, regulation, ruling, instruction, or license shall continue and may be enforced as if such amendment, modification, or revocation had not been made. Sec. 536.403 Termination and acquisition of an interest in blocked property. (a) Whenever a transaction licensed or authorized by or pursuant to this part results in the transfer of property (including any property interest) away from a specially designated narcotics trafficker, such property shall no longer be deemed to be property in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has or has had an interest, or which is held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, unless there exists in the property another interest of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, the transfer of which has not been effected pursuant to license or other authorization. (b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in a license or authorization issued pursuant to this part, if property (including any property interest) is transferred or attempted to be transferred to a specially designated narcotics trafficker, such property shall be deemed to be property in which there exists an interest of the specially designated narcotics trafficker. Sec. 536.404 Setoffs prohibited. A setoff against blocked property (including a blocked account), whether by a U.S. bank or other U.S. person, is a prohibited transfer under Sec. 536.201 if effected after the effective date. Sec. 536.405 Transactions incidental to a licensed transaction. Any transaction ordinarily incident to a licensed transaction and necessary to give effect thereto is also authorized, except a transaction by an unlicensed, specially designated narcotics trafficker or involving a debit to a blocked account or a transfer of blocked property not explicitly authorized within the terms of the license. Sec. 536.406 Provision of services. (a) Except as provided in Sec. 536.205, the prohibitions contained in Sec. 536.201 apply to services performed by U.S. persons, wherever located: (1) On behalf of, or for the benefit of, a specially designated narcotics trafficker; or (2) With respect to property interests of a specially designated narcotics trafficker. (b) Example: U.S. persons may not, except as authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control by or pursuant to this part, provide legal, accounting, financial, brokering, freight forwarding, transportation, public relations, educational, or other services to a specially designated narcotics trafficker. See Sec. 536.506, with respect to certain authorized legal services. Sec. 536.407 Offshore transactions. The prohibitions contained in Sec. 536.201 apply to transactions by U.S. persons in locations outside the United States with respect to property which the U.S. person knows, or has reason to know, is held in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, or in which the U.S. person knows, or has reason to know, a specially designated narcotics trafficker has or has had an interest since the effective date. Sec. 536.408 Alleged change in ownership or control of an entity designated as a specially designated narcotics trafficker. (a) A change or alleged change in ownership or control of an entity designated as a specially designated narcotics trafficker shall not be the basis for removal of that entity from the list of specially designated narcotics traffickers unless, upon investigation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and submission of evidence by the entity, it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control that the transfer to a bona fide purchaser at arm's length is legitimate and that the entity no longer meets the criteria for designation under Sec. 536.312. Evidence submitted must conclusively demonstrate that all ties with other specially designated narcotics traffickers have been completely severed, and may include, but is not limited to, articles of incorporation; identification of new directors, officers, shareholders, and sources of capital; and contracts evidencing the sale of the entity to its new owners. (b) Any continuing substantial financial obligations on the part of the new owners to any specially designated narcotics traffickers, including long-term payment plans, leases, or rents, will be considered as evidence of continuing control of the entity by the specially designated narcotics trafficker. Purchase of a designated entity without ongoing substantial financial obligations to a specially designated narcotics trafficker may nonetheless be a basis for subsequent designation of the purchaser, if the transaction is determined materially to assist in or provide financial support for the narcotics trafficking activities of specially designated narcotics traffickers for purposes of Sec. 536.312(b)(2). For example, any acquisition transaction resulting in a direct cash transfer to or other enrichment of a specially designated narcotics trafficker could lead to designation of the purchaser. Mere change in name of an entity will not be considered as constituting a change of the entity's status. Sec. 536.409 Credit extended and cards issued by U.S. financial institutions. The prohibition in Sec. 536.201 on dealing in property in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker has an interest prohibits U.S. financial institutions from performing under any existing credit agreements, including, but not limited to, charge cards, debit cards, or other credit facilities issued by a U.S. financial institution to a person designated under this part. Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy Sec. 536.501 Effect of license or authorization. (a) No license or other authorization contained in this part, or otherwise issued by or under the direction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets [[Page 9965]] Control, shall be deemed to authorize or validate any transaction effected prior to the issuance of the license, unless specifically provided in such license or authorization. (b) No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizes any transaction prohibited under this part unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license is issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and specifically refers to this part. No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license referring to this part shall be deemed to authorize any transaction prohibited by any provision of this chapter unless the regulation, ruling, instruction or license specifically refers to such provision. (c) Any regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizing any transaction otherwise prohibited under this part has the effect of removing a prohibition or prohibitions contained in this part from the transaction, but only to the extent specifically stated by its terms. Unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license otherwise specifies, such an authorization does not create any right, duty, obligation, claim, or interest in, or with respect to, any property which would not otherwise exist under ordinary principles of law. Sec. 536.502 Exclusion from licenses and authorizations. The Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control reserves the right to exclude any person, property, or transaction from the operation of any license, or from the privileges therein conferred, or to restrict the applicability thereof with respect to particular persons, property, transactions, or classes thereof. Such action shall be binding upon all persons receiving actual or constructive notice of such exclusion or restriction. Sec. 536.503 Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions. (a) Any payment of funds or transfer of credit or other financial or economic resources or assets into a blocked account in a U.S. financial institution is authorized, provided that a transfer from a blocked account pursuant to this authorization may only be made to another blocked account held in the same name on the books of the same U.S. financial institution. This authorization is subject to the condition that written notification from the U.S. financial institution receiving an authorized payment or transfer is furnished to the Compliance Programs Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Treasury Department, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW--Annex, Washington, DC 20220, within 10 days from the value date of the payment or transfer. This notification shall confirm that the payment or transfer has been deposited into a blocked account pursuant to this section and Sec. 536.203 and shall provide the account number, the name and address of the person in whose name the account is held and, if the account party is not a specially designated narcotics trafficker, the name of the specially designated narcotics trafficker having an interest in the account, the name and address of the transferee U.S. financial institution, the name and address of the transferor financial institution, the amount of the payment or transfer, the name and telephone number of a contact person at the transferee financial institution from whom compliance information may be obtained, and the name and telephone number of the person, registered with the Office of Foreign Assets Control pursuant to Sec. 536.603, responsible for the administration of blocked assets at the transferee financial institution from whom records on blocked assets may be obtained. (b) This section does not authorize any transfer from a blocked account within the United States to an account held outside the United States. Sec. 536.504 Investment and reinvestment of certain funds. (a) U.S. financial institutions are hereby authorized and directed to invest and reinvest assets held in blocked accounts in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, subject to the following conditions: (1) The assets representing such investments and reinvestments are credited to a blocked account or sub-account which is in the name of the specially designated narcotics trafficker and which is located in the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person; and (2) The proceeds of such investments and reinvestments are not credited to a blocked account or sub-account under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or sub-account in which such funds or securities were held; and (3) No immediate financial or economic benefit or access accrues (e.g., through pledging or other use) to the specially designated narcotics trafficker. (b)(1) U.S. persons seeking to avail themselves of this authorization must register with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Blocked Assets Division, before undertaking transactions authorized under this section. (2) Transactions conducted pursuant to this section must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Blocked Assets Division, in a report filed no later than 10 business days following the last business day of the month in which the transactions occurred. Sec. 536.505 Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges authorized. (a) U.S. financial institutions are hereby authorized to debit any blocked account with such U.S. financial institution in payment or reimbursement for normal service charges owed to such U.S. financial institution by the owner of such blocked account. (b) As used in this section, the term normal service charge shall include charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable, telegraph, or telephone charges; postage costs; custody fees; small adjustment charges to correct bookkeeping errors; and, but not by way of limitation, minimum balance charges, notary and protest fees, and charges for reference books, photostats, credit reports, transcripts of statements, registered mail, insurance, stationery and supplies, check books, and other similar items. Sec. 536.506 Provision of certain legal services authorized. (a) The provision to or on behalf of a specially designated narcotics trafficker of the legal services set forth in paragraph (b) of this section is authorized, provided that all receipt of payment therefor must be specifically licensed. (b) Specific licenses may be issued, on a case-by-case basis, authorizing receipt of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the following legal services by U.S. persons to a specially designated narcotics trafficker: (1) Provision of legal advice and counseling on the requirements of and compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States, provided that such advice and counseling is not provided to facilitate transactions that would violate any of the prohibitions contained in this part; (2) Representation of a specially designated narcotics trafficker when named as a defendant in or otherwise made a party to domestic United States legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings; (3) Initiation of domestic United States legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings in defense of property interests subject to U.S. [[Page 9966]] jurisdiction of a specially designated narcotics trafficker; (4) Representation before any federal or state agency with respect to the imposition, administration, or enforcement of United States sanctions against significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia or specially designated narcotics traffickers; and (5) Provision of legal services in any other context in which prevailing United States law requires access to legal counsel at public expense. (c) The provision of any other legal services to a specially designated narcotics trafficker, not otherwise authorized in or exempted by this part, requires the issuance of a specific license. (d) Entry into a settlement agreement affecting property or interests in property of a specially designated narcotics trafficker or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect a property interest of a specially designated narcotics trafficker is prohibited unless specifically licensed in accordance with Sec. 536.202(e). Sec. 536.507 Authorization of emergency medical services. The provision of nonscheduled emergency medical services to a specially designated narcotics trafficker located in the United States is authorized, provided that any payment for such services requires prior authorization by specific license. Subpart F--Reports Sec. 536.601 Required records. (a) Except as otherwise provided, every person engaging in any transaction subject to the provisions of this part shall keep a full and accurate record of each transaction engaged in, regardless of whether such transaction is effected pursuant to license or otherwise, and such record shall be available for examination for at least 5 years after the date of such transaction. Except as otherwise provided, every person holding property subject to Sec. 536.201 shall keep a full and accurate record of such property, and such record shall be available for examination for the period of time that such property is blocked and for at least 5 years after the date such property is unblocked. (b) Any person, other than an individual, required to maintain records pursuant to this section, must designate an individual to be responsible for providing information concerning such records to the Office of Foreign Assets Control when so requested. Sec. 536.602 Reports to be furnished on demand. Every person is required to furnish under oath, in the form of reports or otherwise, from time to time and at any time as may be required, complete information relative to any transaction, regardless of whether such transaction is effected pursuant to license or otherwise, subject to the provisions of this part. Such reports may be required to include the production of any books of account, contracts, letters or other papers, connected with any such transaction or property, in the custody or control of the person required to make such reports. Reports with respect to transactions may be required either before or after such transactions are completed. The Director of Foreign Assets Control may, through any person or agency, conduct investigations, hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses, receive evidence, take depositions, and require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, papers, and documents relating to any matter under investigation, regardless of whether any report has been required or filed in connection therewith. Sec. 536.603 Registration of persons holding blocked property subject to Sec. 536.201. (a) Any individual holding property subject to Sec. 536.201 must register with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Blocked Assets Division, by the later of March 17, 1997, or within 10 days after the date such property is received or becomes subject to Sec. 536.201. (b) Any person, other than an individual, holding property subject to Sec. 536.201 must register the name, title, address, and telephone number of the individual designated under Sec. 536.601(b) to be responsible for the administration of blocked assets, from whom the Office of Foreign Assets Control can obtain information and records. The registration shall be sent to the Blocked Assets Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Treasury Department, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW--Annex, Washington, DC 20220, by the later of March 17, 1997, or, unless notification is given pursuant to Sec. 536.503, 10 days after the date such property is received or becomes subject to Sec. 536.201. Subpart G--Penalties Sec. 536.701 Penalties. (a) Attention is directed to section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705 -- the ``Act''), which is applicable to violations of the provisions of any license, ruling, regulation, order, direction or instruction issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under the Act. Section 206 of the Act, as adjusted pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), provides that: (1) A civil penalty of not to exceed $11,000 per violation may be imposed on any person who violates any license, order, or regulation issued under the Act; (2) Whoever willfully violates any license, order, or regulation issued under the Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $50,000, or, if a natural person, may be imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both; and any officer, director, or agent of any corporation who knowingly participates in such violation may be punished by a like fine, imprisonment or both. (b) The criminal penalties provided in the Act are subject to increase pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3571. (c) Attention is also directed to 18 U.S.C. 1001, which provides that whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States, knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. (d) Violations of this part may also be subject to relevant provisions of other applicable laws. Sec. 536.702 Prepenalty notice. (a) When required. If the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control has reasonable cause to believe that there has occurred a violation of any provision of this part or a violation of the provisions of any license, ruling, regulation, order, direction or instruction issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under the [[Page 9967]] International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the Director determines that further proceedings are warranted, he shall issue to the person concerned a notice of his intent to impose a monetary penalty. The prepenalty notice may be issued whether or not another agency has taken any action with respect to this matter. (b) Contents--(1) Facts of violation. The prepenalty notice shall describe the violation, specify the laws and regulations allegedly violated, and state the amount of the proposed monetary penalty. (2) Right to respond. The prepenalty notice also shall inform the respondent of respondent's right to respond to the notice within 30 days of its mailing as to why a monetary penalty should not be imposed, or, if imposed, why it should be in a lesser amount than proposed. Sec. 536.703 Response to prepenalty notice. (a) Time within which to respond. The respondent shall have 30 days from the date of mailing of the prepenalty notice to respond in writing to the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. (b) Form and contents of written response. The written response need not be in any particular form, but shall contain information sufficient to indicate that it is in response to the prepenalty notice. It should respond to the allegations in the prepenalty notice and set forth the reasons why the person believes the penalty should not be imposed or, if imposed, why it should be in a lesser amount than proposed. (c) Informal settlement. In addition or as an alternative to a written response to a prepenalty notice pursuant to this section, the respondent or respondent's representative may contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control as advised in the prepenalty notice to propose the settlement of allegations contained in the prepenalty notice and related matters. In the event of settlement at the prepenalty stage, the prepenalty notice will be withdrawn, the respondent is not required to take a written position on allegations contained in the prepenalty notice, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control will make no final determination as to whether a violation occurred. The amount accepted in settlement of allegations in a prepenalty notice may vary from the civil penalty that might finally be imposed in the event of a formal determination of violation. In the event no settlement is reached, the 30-day period specified in paragraph (a) of this section for written response to the prepenalty notice remains in effect unless additional time is granted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Sec. 536.704 Penalty notice. (a) No violation. If, after considering any written response to the prepenalty notice and any relevant facts, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control determines that there was no violation by the respondent named in the prepenalty notice, the Director promptly shall notify the respondent in writing of that determination and that no monetary penalty will be imposed. (b) Violation. If, after considering any written response to the prepenalty notice and any relevant facts, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control determines that there was a violation by the respondent named in the prepenalty notice, the Director promptly shall issue a written notice of the imposition of the monetary penalty or other available disposition on the respondent. Sec. 536.705 Administrative collection; referral to United States Department of Justice. In the event that the respondent does not pay the penalty imposed pursuant to this part or make payment arrangements acceptable to the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control within 30 days of the mailing of the written notice of the imposition of the penalty, the matter may be referred for administrative collection measures or to the United States Department of Justice for appropriate action to recover the penalty in a civil suit in a Federal district court. Subpart H--Procedures Sec. 536.801 Licensing. (a) General licenses. General licenses have been issued authorizing under appropriate terms and conditions certain types of transactions which are subject to the prohibitions contained in this part. All such licenses in effect on the date of publication are set forth in subpart E of this part. It is the policy of the Office of Foreign Assets Control not to grant applications for specific licenses authorizing transactions to which the provisions of an outstanding general license are applicable. Persons availing themselves of certain general licenses may be required to file reports and statements in accordance with the instructions specified in those licenses. Failure to file such reports or statements will nullify the authority of the general license. (b) Specific licenses--(1) General course of procedure. Transactions subject to the prohibitions contained in this part which are not authorized by general license may be effected only under specific licenses. (2) Applications for specific licenses. Applications for specific licenses to engage in any transactions prohibited by or pursuant to this part may be filed by letter with the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Any person having an interest in a transaction or proposed transaction may file an application for a license authorizing such transaction, but the applicant for a specific license is required to make full disclosure of all parties in interest to the transaction so that a decision on the application may be made with full knowledge of all relevant facts and so that the identity and location of the persons who know about the transaction may be easily ascertained in the event of inquiry. (3) Information to be supplied. The applicant must supply all information specified by relevant instructions and/or forms, and must fully disclose the names of all the parties who are concerned with or interested in the proposed transaction. If the application is filed by an agent, the agent must disclose the name of his principal(s). Such documents as may be relevant shall be attached to each application as a part of such application except that documents previously filed with the Office of Foreign Assets Control may, where appropriate, be incorporated by reference. Applicants may be required to furnish such further information as is deemed necessary to a proper determination by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Any applicant or other party in interest desiring to present additional information or discuss or argue the application may do so at any time before or after decision. Arrangements for oral presentation should be made with the Office of Foreign Assets Control. (4) Effect of denial. The denial of a license does not preclude the reopening of an application or the filing of a further application. The applicant or any other party in interest may at any time request explanation of the reasons for a denial by correspondence or personal interview. (5) Reports under specific licenses. As a condition for the issuance of any license, the licensee may be required to file reports with respect to the transaction covered by the license, in such form and at such times and places as may be prescribed in the license or otherwise. (6) Issuance of license. Licenses will be issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury or licenses may be issued by the Secretary of the Treasury acting directly or through any [[Page 9968]] specifically designated person, agency, or instrumentality. (7) Address. License applications, reports, and inquiries should be addressed to the appropriate section or individual within the Office of Foreign Assets Control, or to its Director, at the following address: Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW--Annex, Washington, DC 20220. Sec. 536.802 Decisions. The Office of Foreign Assets Control will advise each applicant of the decision respecting filed applications. The decision of the Office of Foreign Assets Control acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to an application shall constitute final agency action. Sec. 536.803 Amendment, modification, or revocation. The provisions of this part and any rulings, licenses, whether general or specific, authorizations, instructions, orders, or forms issued hereunder may be amended, modified, or revoked at any time. Sec. 536.804 Rulemaking. (a) All rules and other public documents are issued by the Secretary of the Treasury upon recommendation of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In general, rulemaking by the Office of Foreign Assets Control involves foreign affairs functions of the United States, and for that reason is exempt from the requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) for notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public comment, and delay in effective date. Wherever possible, however, it is the practice of the Office of Foreign Assets Control to receive written submissions or hold informal consultations with interested parties before the issuance of any rule or other public document. (b) Any interested person may petition the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in writing for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of any rule. Sec. 536.805 Delegation by the Secretary of the Treasury. Any action which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to take pursuant to Executive Order 12978 or any further executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 may be taken by the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, or by any other person to whom the Secretary of the Treasury has delegated authority so to act. Sec. 536.806 Rules governing availability of information. (a) The records of the Office of Foreign Assets Control required by the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) to be made available to the public shall be made available in accordance with the definitions, procedures, requirements for payment of fees, and other provisions of the regulations on the Disclosure of Records of the Departmental Offices and of other bureaus and offices of the Department of the Treasury issued under 5 U.S.C. 552 and published at 31 CFR part 1. (b) The records of the Office of Foreign Assets Control required by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) to be made available to an individual shall be made available in accordance with the definitions, procedures, requirements for payment of fees, and other provisions of the regulations on the Disclosure of Records of the Departmental Offices and of other bureaus and offices of the Department of the Treasury issued under 5 U.S.C. 552a and published at 31 CFR part 1. (c) Any form issued for use in connection with the Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations may be obtained in person or by writing to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW--Annex, Washington, D.C. 20220, or by calling 202/622-2520. Subpart I--Paperwork Reduction Act Sec. 536.901 Paperwork Reduction Act notice. The information collection requirements in Secs. 536.503, 536.504, subpart F, and Sec. 536.801 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act and assigned control number 1505-0163. Dated: February 7, 1997. R. Richard Newcomb, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control. Approved: February 18, 1997. James E. Johnson, Assistant Secretary (Enforcement). [FR Doc. 97-5299 Filed 2-28-97; 12:34 pm] BILLING CODE 4810-25-F