Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DOHA1021
2007-10-29 13:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

QATAR AIRWAYS SECURITY UPDATE

Tags:  EAIR ASEC KSAC QA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDO #1021 3021332
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 291332Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7186
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0077
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0138
RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 2194
RUEANHA/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 001021 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR DS, DSS, DS/T/ATA, AND DS/IP
STATE FOR NEA/ARP ASHLEY BAGWELL AND SANJAY RAMESH
STATE FOR EEB/TRA JOHN BYERLY, MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE, AND WIN
DAYTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017
TAGS: EAIR ASEC KSAC QA
SUBJECT: QATAR AIRWAYS SECURITY UPDATE

REF: DOHA 979

Classified By: CDA Michael A. Ratney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 001021

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR DS, DSS, DS/T/ATA, AND DS/IP
STATE FOR NEA/ARP ASHLEY BAGWELL AND SANJAY RAMESH
STATE FOR EEB/TRA JOHN BYERLY, MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE, AND WIN
DAYTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017
TAGS: EAIR ASEC KSAC QA
SUBJECT: QATAR AIRWAYS SECURITY UPDATE

REF: DOHA 979

Classified By: CDA Michael A. Ratney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Econoff visited Doha International Airport October 29
to observe security screening procedures for the direct Doha
to Washington/Dulles flight (see reftel for background). The
flight had 90 passengers flying out of the economy terminal
and another 20 from the separate first and business class
terminal. This is a larger load than observed in recent
weeks when total loads were averaging 50-70 people, though
still well below the capacity of the A340 aircraft. Econoff
was only able to observe economy terminal screening
procedures but the overall security procedures were
consistent with recent improvements noted by TSA inspectors
in their assessment ending early October. (Note: This
one-day assessment is only intended as a spot report and
cannot substitute for a technical visit/assessment by trained
TSA inspectors.)

SIPDIS


2. (C) The gate was staffed with seven police officers (a
supervisor, two x-ray observers, two male passenger screeners
and two female passenger screeners),a Qatar Airways security
supervisor, and several airline staff to assist in moving
baggage and directing travelers. The police and air carrier
supervisor did not/not need to micro-manage or carry out
inspections themselves but were proactive in instructing
screeners when questions arose and preventing contamination
of hand-carry luggage (i.e., not allowing unscreened
passengers to access their screened baggage). Consistent
with TSA requirements, all passengers were required to remove
belts and shoes, take laptops out of bags, and prevented from
carrying on liquids in large amounts. In one case with a
milk bottle for a small child (probably about 500ml),the
police made the child take a sip but then let it pass. In
another case, police found a needle with medicine being
carried by a pregnant woman. The nature of the medication
was unclear to Econoff, but the police sent the passenger to
an airport nurse, who administered the shot so it would not
need to be brought onboard.


3. (C) Male passengers who set off the metal detector (and
some who did not) were hand-searched by the two male police
officers. One did a more comprehensive job than the other
(i.e., one would neglect sweeping the inside of the leg).
The female police are now wearing uniforms with long skirts
(vice their previous abiyyas),which was a TSA recommendation
and makes it easier for them to hand-search female
passengers. The female police screeners were using hand
wands behind a screen to search females who set off the
detector, which contrasts with their earlier practice of
using a hand-search. Overall, passenger screening appeared
competent and thorough. (Note: The wider airport security
remains a concern. For example, the originating passenger
metal detectors did not seem similarly calibrated, as one
alarmed and the other did not when Econoff passed through.
For the one that alarmed, the police hand-search was very
cursory.)


4. (C) COMMENT: While passenger screening for U.S. flights
appears on the right track based on the above visit, Econoff
will continue to make occasional visits to check on security
operations. Post continues to believe that over the
long-term, the police will need more training and staffing to
ensure sustainability of screening to U.S. standards.
Continuing the positive trend from TSA's visit, the police
have shown more diligence and willingness to work with us on
getting security right, and it is our understanding that
50-60 new officers will be dedicated in coming weeks to the
checkpoints servicing U.S. flights. Post has identified the
College of the North Atlantic in Qatar as a possible site to
assist in training screeners on international standards and
has encouraged both Qatar Airways and the police to look into
utilizing this facility. A TSA Representative expects to
visit Doha November 5-7 for further observations and
meetings, and a TSA inspection team is scheduled to return
about three weeks after that visit to assess and engage
further with the GOQ on ensuring proper security for the U.S.
flights.
RATNEY