Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK1124
2007-12-05 19:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

BHUTAN PERM REP COMPLAINT RE TREATMENT DURING

Tags:  OFDP BH UN 
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DE RUCNDT #1124 3391917
ZNR UUUUU ZZH CCY ADX00388BDD WSC1635 614
P 051917Z DEC 07 ZUI YR 0018W
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3265
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1958
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001124 

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DEPT FOR IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP BH UN
SUBJECT: BHUTAN PERM REP COMPLAINT RE TREATMENT DURING
SCREENING AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001124

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DEPT FOR IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP BH UN
SUBJECT: BHUTAN PERM REP COMPLAINT RE TREATMENT DURING
SCREENING AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT


1. USUN received on December 3, 2007, a complaint (text in
paragraph 3 below) from the Bhutan Mission to the UN
protesting the treatment received by its Ambassador/Permanent
Representative at Newark International Airport upon departure
by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and
by Continental Airlines personnel upon his departure from San
Jose, Costa Rica as he returned to the U.S. The Bhutan
Mission provided a copy of his boarding pass which was marked
"SSSS" (a designation which subjects recipients to secondary
screening). TSA had recently provided a special procedure
for UN-accredited ambassadors who receive the "SSSS"
designation on their boarding passes upon departure, and TSA
agreed to communicate that special procedure to TSA personnel
at NY-area airports. The Bhutan Ambassador/Permanent
Representative appears to have identified himself in the
proper manner but did not receive the benefit of such special
procedure.


2. USUN has received numerous reports of UN-accredited
diplomats being delayed at NY-area airports by various U.S.
immigration authorites on arrival and departure, and these
complaints are being voiced more frequently in the UN
Committee on Relations with the Host Country, the forum in
which USUN must respond.


3. Begin Text: The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of
Bhutan to the United Nations presents its compliments to the
United States Mission to the United Nations and has the
honour to bring the following to the attention of the
esteemed Mission.

H.E. Mr. Daw Penjo, Permanent Representative & Ambassador of
the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations recently traveled
to Costa Rica to attend an official meeting. (November 8,
2007) H.E. the Ambassador traveled by Continental Airlines
and his point of departure and arrival was from Newark
International Airport.


1. While departing from Newark International Airport for
Costa Rica the Ambassador was identified for special security
screening. In keeping with the TSA screening procedure
advice to diplomats accredited to the UN or the United
States, the Ambassador identified himself as the Ambassador
of Bhutan to the United Nations in New York, and presented
both his diplomatic passport and diplomatic I.D. card issued
by the U.S. Department of State. The TSA supervisor at
Newark said that since the high security risk was labeled on
the board pass, they have no alternative but to carry out the
full screening i.e. both physical and inspection of all
personal baggage.


2. On the Ambassador,s return from Costa Rica, (November
11, 2007) he was again put through the same ordeal. In fact,
the Continental Airlines Supervisor/Manager was very rude
when the Ambassador showed his U.S. State Department
diplomatic I.D., he even commented saying that they do not
recognize or honor any such IDs. Such a comment displayed a
lack of professional courtesy, and a gross disregard to the
Ambassador,s status as a senior diplomat.


3. On both occasions neither the TSA nor the airline was
able to explain to the Ambassador as to why he had been
identified as a "high security risk". While the Permanent
Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan understands the need for
security procedures, the screening officials should have at
least accorded due recognition upon presentation of the
Ambassador,s diplomatic passport and diplomatic I.D. card.
The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan also fails to
understand on what grounds the Ambassador has been identified
as a person of "high security risk", and would like to seek
clarification on that regard.

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United
Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
United States Mission to the United Nations the assurances of
its highest consideration. End Text.
Khalilzad