BALI AIRPORT COMPLIANCE NOTICE DELIVERED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002854 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO PASS NTSB FOR MACINTIRE/BENZON/ENGLISH DEPT FOR EAP/MTS AND EB/TRA/AN SINGAPORE FOR FAA-WALSH SINGAPORE FOR TSA-SAHAGIAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2017 TAGS: EAIR ECON PGOV PTER ASEC ID SUBJECT: BALI AIRPORT COMPLIANCE NOTICE DELIVERED TO TRANSPORTATION MINISTER REF: STATE 138897 Classified By: A/DCM LAWRENCE MANDEL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)(D)(E)(G) ¶1. (SBU) On October 10, 2007, A/DCM met with Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal and delivered Secretary Chertoff,s letter regarding the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finding of compliance with international security standards for Bali,s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Djamal expressed thanks that the Department of Homeland Security will remove the public notification requirements imposed on December 23, 2005 for the Bali Airport. ¶2. (C) Djamal said that his Ministry took seriously TSA,s 2005 assessment of the Bali Airport and had worked diligently over the past two years to correct the deficiencies noted by TSA (see reftel). He agreed to continue working on improving SIPDIS the security of the cargo warehouse area as noted in Secretary Chertoff,s letter. Djamal said he would SIPDIS personally brief President Yudhoyono later today on the lifting of the public notification. ¶3. (SBU) Djamal said his ministry is currently focused on aircraft safety, particularly during Ramadan when air travel increases markedly. He added that four commercial airlines (Garuda, Mandala, Adam Air, and Lion Air) as well as several helicopter and charter carriers are participating in an advanced safety oversight module, which includes aircraft safety inspections every four days. The ministry has grounded seven aircraft within the past two weeks through this program. ¶4. (SBU) The Ministry of Transportation plans to hold a press conference on October 11, 2007 to make the announcement. Embassy will also issue a press release. HEFFERN