JAMAICA/US AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001387

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (COLLINS),EB/TRA/AN (ENGLE, HERRUP, TEICH),
L/T (HOLLERAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ETRD KTIA JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA/US AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT

REF: A. 05 KINGSTON 2731


B. 07/07 MORGAN/HERRUP E-MAIL

C. 05 STATE 220707


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4.


2. On July 5, Embassy received diplomatic correspondence (No.
358/505/50 dated June 28, 2006) from the Government of Jamaica (GOJ)
providing comments on the USG message of February 3, 2006 proposing
amendments to the Jamaica/United States Air Transport Agreement.


3. Text of Diplomatic Note:

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Begin Text:
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of
America, and has the honour to refer to facsimile message of 3rd
February 2006, proposing amendments by the Government of the United
States of America to the Jamaica/United States Air Transport
Agreement.

The Ministry wishes to submit the following comments on the
proposals:


PROPOSED BLANKET DESIGNATION OF U.S. AIR CARRIERS UNDER ARTICLE III

The Government of Jamaica requires further details regarding the
practical application and functions of this system, to fully examine
its implications.


PROPOSED DELETION OF ANNEX III

The Government of Jamaica acknowledges the increasing movement away
from Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) and the increased use of
alternative flight booking methods, including web-based bookings by
many airlines. Jamaica's travel industry is still heavily dependent
on CRS vendors, and there is no indication that this will change
shortly as extensive financial input would be required to enable
conversion to alternative booking methods. As a result, it would
not be in Jamaica's interest to remove this Annex at this time.


PROPOSED DELETION OF ANNEX IV

Jamaica accepts the proposal to delete this Annex.


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade avails itself of
this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of
America the assurances of its highest consideration.

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End Text
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4. Per Ref. B, Post requests further information on blanket
designations and on whether the deletion of Annex II is necessary to
move forward with the signing. Post point of contact is Economic
Officer John Morgan (phone 876-935-6028, fax 876-935-6029).


5. Comment: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has
received Ref. C talking points twice. Econoff questioned what
"further details" were required, and was asked "how it works in
practice." Contacts told Econoff that "the term 'blanket
designation' makes Air Jamaica nervous." Post believes that GOJ
seeks information that will assure Air Jamaica that agreeing to
blanket designation does not constitute "selling them out." End
comment.

JOHNSON