KUWAITI REQUEST FOR AIR MARSHALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000612 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TRA/OTP AND NEA/ARP STATE ALSO PASS TSA AND FAA ROME FOR FAA/TSA BRUSSELS FOR FAA/TSA PARIS FOR FAA/TSA FRANKFURT FOR FAA/TSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013 TAGS: EAIR ASEC KU SUBJECT: KUWAITI REQUEST FOR AIR MARSHALS REF: A. KUWAIT 480 ¶B. 02 STATE 78755 Classified By: DCM Frank Urbancic for reason 1.5 (B) 1.(U) This is an action request -- see para 5. 2.(C) Per ref (A),RSO and EconChief met on February 16 with the head of Kuwait's Aircraft Security division of the Ministry of Interior, who reiterated the urgency Kuwait felt to quickly deploy air marshals aboard all Kuwait Airways flights give current regional tensions. RSO and EconChief explained, drawing on guidance in ref (B),the detailed information required to get the deployment of air marshals approved by TSA in Washington. 3.(C) As a result of the meeting, post received a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally requesting permission to deploy air marshals on Kuwait Airways flights to the U.S. and: -- certifying that all members of the air marshal program are duly trained and authorized law enforcement officers -- noting that the purpose of the air marshal program is to protect Kuwait Airways from terrorist attacks or any actions to harm the aircraft or its passengers -- explaining that each flight would be accompanied by between three and six air marshals -- noting that Kuwait Airways operates five flights a week to the United States (three to New York and two to Chicago) -- explaining that the 9mm Browning pistols used by the air marshals would be transferred aboard the plane between teams after passengers had left the plane (i.e. weapons would remain on board) 4.(C) Post notes that RSO and EconOff were told each weapon would carry two magazines of ammunition with 14 rounds in each magazine. 5.(C) ACTION REQUEST: The GOK continues to stick its neck out for the U.S. in the effort to oust Saddam Hussein, and they feel quite vulnerable and exposed. Having been a victim of air terror in the past, Kuwait intends to do all it can to avert such disasters now. Post requests that TSA review and approve this request as soon as possible so that A-2 visas can be issued expeditiously and Kuwaiti air marshal operations can begin. Post further requests that a regional TSA representative travel to Kuwait soon to finalize any SIPDIS necessary operational details and demonstrate our commitment to the security of Kuwait Airways flights. JONES