UK QUIETLY SUPPORTS U.S. ICAO COUNCIL CANDIDACY;

UNCLAS LONDON 003608 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/T LAURA LUFTIG; EB/TRA/OTP MWALKLET-TIGHE CONSULATE MONTREAL FOR USICAO LFAUX-GABLE EB OR CONSULATE MONTREAL FOR DAS JBYERLY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ICAO AORC UK SUBJECT: UK QUIETLY SUPPORTS U.S. ICAO COUNCIL CANDIDACY; LAYS DOWN MARKER ON OPEN SKIES REF: A. STATE 115443 ¶B. STATE 127689 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The UK will support the U.S. ICAO Council candidacy, but their internal regulations prohibit them from giving us an official response. They have not given their views on the ICAO Split-Currency Assessments. Transport officials emphasized that the UK must see progress on Stage Two Open Skies civil aviation negotiations next spring or they could be forced to withdraw their support of the Open Skies Plus agreement. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) Due to British policy not to disclose ahead of time their votes on international organizations, the UK cannot officially convey to us their support for the U.S. candidacy to the ICAO Council (ref A),David McMillan, Director of Civil Aviation, Department for Transportation, and Tim Figures, Head of International Aviation and Safety Division told us recently. Through positive body language and exhortations "not to worry", however, they assured us that we can count on their vote. McMillan told us of the importance of U.S.-UK joint efforts on safety, security and ICAO reform, and why the U.S. needs to remain on the Council, U.S.-UK disagreements on environment/emissions notwithstanding. McMillan will lead the UK delegation to Montreal, and will stay for the duration of the session. McMillan said we need to make sure our differences do not outweigh our numerous agreements. ¶3. (SBU) McMillan added that the UK and U.S. should open a dialogue with other ICAO members on reform, asking all members if the current structure meets current goals. He said that amendment of the Chicago Convention was not necessarily the best way to get reforms through, but suggested that capitals should have the lead rather than the Council. ¶4. (U) Post also delivered Ref B on ICAO Split-Currency Assessments, but has yet to receive a substantive reply. Open Skies - Progress on Stage Two Negotiations -------------- -- ¶54. (SBU) On stage two of the Open Skies civil aviation negotiations next spring, McMillan said the UK will need to see forward movement on the next set of issues (i.e., foreign ownership) or they might be forced to "exercise their veto" to the Open Skies Plus agreement. British Air and Virgin can not be counted on to continue to go along with the status quo (they also might be up for sale in 2008.) Specifically, the UK will push for tangible progress through a transparent and public process. McMillan said any agreement will require legislative changes on both sides of the Atlantic: saying that "doing it outside the legislative process is not solid enough" for UK comfort levels. McMillan understands the U.S. political landscape, and suggested that 2008 be used to clean up the "ground issues" and set things up for more serious negotiations after the 2008 U.S. elections. McMillan summed up by stressing that the UK has its own pressure points - on all sides of the political spectrum - on this issue which creates the need for visible progress in the second round of negotiations. ¶6. (U) McMillan will travel to Washington on October 10 to discuss the environment, and would like to see EB DAS John Byerly and others. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm LeBaron