AIR FRANCE DISCUSSION WITH ISRAEL ON RESUMPTION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005895 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE PASS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2026 TAGS: PREL PGOV EAIR ECON FR LE IS JO SUBJECT: AIR FRANCE DISCUSSION WITH ISRAEL ON RESUMPTION OF FLIGHTS TO BEIRUT REF: A. (A)BEIRUT 2772 ¶B. (B)BEIRUT 2688 Classified By: Economic Minister-Counselor Thomas J. White, reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C/NF) A senior Air France executive (please protect) told Economic Minister-Counselor August 31 that Air France will receive two Israeli security officials this weekend to discuss the possibility of a resumption of Air France service to Beirut via Amman, Jordan. To date, Air France has flown only one flight into Beirut airport since the recent outbreak of hostilities, a relief flight transporting humanitarian relief personnel and equipment. Regular commercial service to Beirut remains suspended. ¶2. (C/NF) The Air France official emphasized that the discussions are at an early stage. The procedure under consideration would have Air France flights to Beirut from Paris landing first in Amman, Jordan where the aircraft would be inspected (without unloading passengers) by Jordanian security before proceeding to Beirut. Presumably, a similar procedure would be used for return flights. According to the AF exec, the GOI professes greater confidence in GOJ security than in their GOL counterparts. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON