Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT1177
2006-04-04 14:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT GIVES GREEN LIGHT ON OPEN SKIES
how-toVZCZCXRO1757 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHKU #1177 0941405 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 041405Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3827 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0977 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001177
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EB/TRA THOMAS ENGLE AND NEA/ARP DAVID BERNS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR BEXP PGOV KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT GIVES GREEN LIGHT ON OPEN SKIES
REF: KUWAIT 996
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001177
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EB/TRA THOMAS ENGLE AND NEA/ARP DAVID BERNS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR BEXP PGOV KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT GIVES GREEN LIGHT ON OPEN SKIES
REF: KUWAIT 996
1. (SBU) On April 4, CDA and Econoff met with Deputy
Director of Civil Aviation for Aviation Safety and Air
Transport Affairs Fawaz Al-Farah to follow up on the ongoing
Open Skies discussions. The meeting was prompted by a letter
to the Ambassador from Minister of Communications Dr. Ismail
Al-Shatti (Ref A) that indicated GOK willingness to conclude
an Open Skies agreement (OSA).
2. (SBU) During the meeting, Al-Farah said he told PM Shaykh
Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah on March 12 that all that was
needed to conclude an OSA was an exemption for U.S. carriers
to the contracted duopoly on ground-handling services that
now exists. (Note: Kuwait Airways and National Aviation
Services are currently the only authorized ground-handling
agents. End note.) Al-Farah stated that, at a Council of
Ministers meeting on March 19, the Council agreed "in
principle" to an OSA and subsequently issued a decree
authorizing the exemption for U.S. carriers. This exemption
removes the sole remaining obstacle - the right to
self-ground handle - to an OSA.
3. (SBU) The CDA reiterated the USG's readiness to conclude
the OSA immediately. Al-Farah stated that he will meet with
Commerce Ministry officials on April 12 to consult about an
OSA's relationship to the ongoing TIFA process, but that he
sees no further obstacles to signing the agreement.
********************************************
For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/cables
Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************
TUELLER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EB/TRA THOMAS ENGLE AND NEA/ARP DAVID BERNS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR BEXP PGOV KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT GIVES GREEN LIGHT ON OPEN SKIES
REF: KUWAIT 996
1. (SBU) On April 4, CDA and Econoff met with Deputy
Director of Civil Aviation for Aviation Safety and Air
Transport Affairs Fawaz Al-Farah to follow up on the ongoing
Open Skies discussions. The meeting was prompted by a letter
to the Ambassador from Minister of Communications Dr. Ismail
Al-Shatti (Ref A) that indicated GOK willingness to conclude
an Open Skies agreement (OSA).
2. (SBU) During the meeting, Al-Farah said he told PM Shaykh
Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah on March 12 that all that was
needed to conclude an OSA was an exemption for U.S. carriers
to the contracted duopoly on ground-handling services that
now exists. (Note: Kuwait Airways and National Aviation
Services are currently the only authorized ground-handling
agents. End note.) Al-Farah stated that, at a Council of
Ministers meeting on March 19, the Council agreed "in
principle" to an OSA and subsequently issued a decree
authorizing the exemption for U.S. carriers. This exemption
removes the sole remaining obstacle - the right to
self-ground handle - to an OSA.
3. (SBU) The CDA reiterated the USG's readiness to conclude
the OSA immediately. Al-Farah stated that he will meet with
Commerce Ministry officials on April 12 to consult about an
OSA's relationship to the ongoing TIFA process, but that he
sees no further obstacles to signing the agreement.
********************************************
For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/cables
Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************
TUELLER