BAHRAIN: DELETION OF CRS ANNEX IN AIR TRANSPORT

UNCLAS MANAMA 002051 SIPDIS SIPDIS EB/TRA, NEA/ARP DOT FOR MSTREET FAA FOR LHART E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR KTIA BA BILAT SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DELETION OF CRS ANNEX IN AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENTS REF: A. STATE 127291 ¶B. 04 MANAMA 1235 ¶1. (U) Further to the 2004 GOB agreement in principle (Ref. B),and in response to August 30 subject demarche (Ref. A) delivered by EconOff, the MFA conveyed its tentative agreement November 2 to the deletion of the Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) Annex of the U.S. - Bahrain Air Transport Agreement via diplomatic note. (Begin unofficial translation) Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bilateral Relations Directorate Ref:14/100/231-78491 Date: November 2, 2006 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in the Kingdom of Bahrain and refers to the Embassy's note number 230, dated August 30, 2006, regarding the Air Transport Agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America. The Ministry has the pleasure to notify the Embassy of the desire of the Legislative Authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain to amend the Air Transport Agreement through a protocol that is accepted by both of the friend countries. The concerned authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain requests the U.S. concerned authorities' views on this subject. A copy of the referenced protocol is enclosed. The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the esteemed Embassy the assurances of its highest regard. (End unofficial translation) ¶2. (U) A copy of the document "Protocol to Amend Air Transport Agreement Between the Government of The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United States of America," signed May 24, 1999 was attached to the diplomatic note. ¶3. (SBU) Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs Captain Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Gaoud told EconOff December 5 that although the Air Transport Agreement was originally ratified by Parliament, a modification deleting the CRS Annex might be approved by the Cabinet's Directorate of Legal Affairs. ¶4. (SBU) Ministry of Cabinet Affairs Director of Legal Affairs Dr. Jameel Al-Alawi confirmed to EconOff December 7 that the CRS issue had been referred to him and that he would review it to determine whether the annex could legally be deleted by executive action or if parliamentary approval would be required. He said he would inform the Embassy of the direction the GOB would take. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** ZIADEH