Washington in brief

WTO: U.S. tariff-sharing law illegal

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. law that directed the government to share tariff revenues with private companies has been declared illegal by the World Trade Organization, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Analysts said the decision by the 144-nation organization represents another trade-related setback for the United States, and could reinforce perceptions that America preaches free trade but practices protectionism.

The action is aimed at a law enacted in 2000 on behalf of U.S. steelmakers and other companies that are hurt when foreign competitors "dump" products in the United States at less than the cost of production.

The law, known as the Byrd Amendment, allows the companies to receive the proceeds from punitive tariffs imposed in antidumping cases. It was challenged by the European Union, Canada and eight other WTO members.

More than $200-million has been distributed to U.S. companies since the law took effect. The WTO ruling does not require the U.S. government to take back those funds but will cloud the legality of any additional distributions.

Senators introduce Amber alert bill

WASHINGTON -- Senators backing a national child abduction alert system said Tuesday that they predict quick passage.

Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced the Amber alert bill, which would set up a national network for distributing alerts when a child is abducted. They were joined by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill.

The Amber alert is named for 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996 while visiting her grandmother in Arlington, Texas.

'Kitty Hawk' captain relieved

SAN DIEGO -- The captain of an aircraft carrier whose vessel struck a buoy and failed a routine test was removed from command Tuesday, the U.S. Navy said.

Capt. Thomas A. Hejl, commanding officer of the Japan-based USS Kitty Hawk, was temporarily transferred to an administrative position in San Diego. The Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only aircraft carrier permanently stationed overseas.

Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard made the unusual decision "due to a loss of confidence in Capt. Hejl's ability to lead his crew, and carry out essential missions and taskings," according to a statement from the Navy's 7th Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan.

Hejl, a native of Boca Raton, was a Naval aviator and a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Hejl will be replaced by Capt. Robert Barbaree Jr., commanding officer of the USS Seattle and a former executive officer of a San Diego-based carrier, the USS Nimitz.

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