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Media Response Statement: Saudi Arabian Ban on Firestone Imports

28 September 2000

Media Response Statement: Saudi Arabian Ban on Firestone Imports

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 27 The following is a statement
issued by Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.:

    We understand that the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) has
issued an internal notification prohibiting the imports of Firestone brand
tires into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    We feel the scope of this action is uncalled for and extreme given the
voluntary worldwide recall we initiated on the 6.5 million P235/75R15 Radial
ATX, Radial ATX II, and certain Wilderness tires of the same size currently in
the market.
    We have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) of this matter.  In addition, we have had conversations with the
United States Trade Representative (USTR) to express our concerns because it
is our strong opinion that such a broad ban could not possibly be justified
under the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Saudi Arabia is
negotiating to join; under the U.S.-Saudi Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and
Navigation; nor under certain sections (301) of the Trade Act of 1974.