NEW ZEALAND ON AVIATION SECURITY, THE DIPLOMATIC

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000623 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T LTOBEY, L/DL FOR SBENDA AND EAP/ANP DRICCI MONTREAL PASS TO USICAO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIA ASEC ADPM EAIR AORC OPDC NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND ON AVIATION SECURITY, THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH AND THE VIENNA CONVENTION REF: A. STATE 112194 ¶B. STATE 128260 ¶1. (SBU) On July 13, Post delivered ref A points to Chris Ford, Manager Security, Civilian Aviation Authority of New Zealand, and Megan Beecroft and Nigel Mouat, Ministry of Transportation. On August 10, Ford told Post that GNZ concurs with the USG views expressed in ref A, saying that GNZ "does not see as appropriate x-raying of the diplomatic pouch, and New Zealand's supporting regulations do not allow it." "It should not be the role of an aviation security panel to interpret the Vienna Convention," Ford added, "rather it is a matter for an international jurist and not a technical group." ¶2. (SBU) GNZ will support USG views at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Avian Security (AVSEC) Panel in Montreal in September, where Ford will be head of the New Zealand delegation. McCormick