Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI1680
2006-04-19 10:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

SAFE SKIES FOR AFRICA REVIEW

Tags:  EAIR EAID ECON KE 
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VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1680 1091049
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191049Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1078
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001680 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND EB/TRA/OTP
DEPT FOR AF/EPS C TRIMBLE
DEPT ALSO PASS TO DOT FOR CONNIE HUNTER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR EAID ECON KE
SUBJECT: SAFE SKIES FOR AFRICA REVIEW

REF: State 51152

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001680

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND EB/TRA/OTP
DEPT FOR AF/EPS C TRIMBLE
DEPT ALSO PASS TO DOT FOR CONNIE HUNTER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR EAID ECON KE
SUBJECT: SAFE SKIES FOR AFRICA REVIEW

REF: State 51152


1. Safe Skies for Africa (SSFA) is one of the most valuable
programs the USG and the Embassy are engaged in with the
Government of Kenya (GOK). Under SSFA, we work closely
with Kenyan civil aviation officials to enhance the safety
and security of air travelers in Kenya. Our goal is to
assist the Kenya Civil Aviation Administration (KCAA) and
the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) meet the globally
recognized air safety and security standards established by
the ICAO, and achieve Category One status. This increases
the safety and security of the thousands of AmCits and many
USG officials who use Jomo Kenyatta International and Moi
International airports.


2. Achieving Category One status would pave the way for
direct flights and code shares to the U.S., boosting two-
way trade, and in particular promoting growth in Kenya's
tourism industry, which is now the second largest earner of
foreign exchange for Kenya, and a major source of
investment and employment. Kenyan officials recognize that
an aviation accident or another terrorist attack would
cause a severe drop in tourism earnings and thus lead to
slower economic growth.


3. SSFA is also supporting the initiative of the leaders of
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to strengthen regional
integration through the East Africa Community (EAC). DOT
and the FAA are working with the EAC nations to develop the
first regional aviation safety oversight body in Africa,
responsible for regional aviation security cooperation,
crisis management, accident investigations and air
navigation organizations. We anticipate the launch by the
end of June 2006.


4. Under "Safe Skies," over 160 Kenyan aviation managers
and personnel have received in-depth training over the past
two years. Since 2001, the U.S. has provided in excess of
$3 million of assistance to Kenya to upgrade its air safety
and security institutions and infrastructure.


5. Kenyan aviation and security officials deeply appreciate
the SSFA program. SSFA has given the Embassy excellent
relations with and access to all aviation officials and the
industry, especially in security, which is vital as long as
Kenya is rated as facing a critical threat for terrorism.
Unfortunately, the GOK's refusal to sign an Article 98
Agreement has barred FY '06 and '07 ESF assistance that
funds SSFA programs. Unless the USG provides a Nethercutt
amendment waiver for SSFA, DOT will likely exhaust funding
available for Kenya sometime in FY '07. Although Kenyan
aviation officials appreciate SSFA, the threat of losing
SSFA programs in Kenya is unlikely to provide the
sufficient leverage needed to push Kenya to sign an Article
98 Agreement, especially with a national election looming
in December 2007.

BELLAMY