CIVAIR: NEW ZEALAND OPEN TO DELETION OF CRS FROM

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000687 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TRA/AN (COLEMAN),L/T (HOLLERAN),AND EAP/ANP DOT FOR OIA/MARY STREET E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR KTIA NZ SUBJECT: CIVAIR: NEW ZEALAND OPEN TO DELETION OF CRS FROM MALIAT REF: STATE 127291 ¶1. This message contains an action request at paragraph 4. ¶2. On August 30, Pol-Econ Counselor discussed reftel request with Ken Hopper, Infrastructure Advisor in the Ministry of Transportation. Hopper said that New Zealand would need to see our request in a diplomatic note in order to consider formally our proposal to remove the Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) from the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transport (MALIAT). PE Counselor told Hopper that we were making similar inquiries with MALIAT partners Brunei, Chile, Samoa, Singapore and Tonga (via our mission in Suva). He replied that as New Zealand is the repository for the MALIAT, GNZ would also share any dip note we sent to Wellington with the other signatories as well. ¶3. Hopper said that while he obviously can't speak officially for GNZ at this stage, he predicts that New Zealand will have no problem with our request. ¶4. Post requests that Washington provide language for a diplomatic note if and when you would like us to submit a formal request to GNZ on this issue. McCormick