BLANKET DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE FOR TROPICAL STORM

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000348 SIPDIS STATE FOR POL-MIL ISO - RODNEY BETHEA HQ USAF FOR A5XP - DALE CHENEY KEESLER FOR 53 WRS/DO - LT COL JOHN SHANNON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR SENV SOCI TPHY XL SUBJECT: BLANKET DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE FOR TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS REF: SECSTATE 57566 ¶1. Blanket over-flight clearance approval has been received via diplomatic notes for the duration of the year 2009 hurricane season from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Antigua and Barbuda (Note #172/2009),Barbados (Note #298/2009),Dominica (Note #242/04-1382),St. Kitts and Nevis (Note #FA/U19/08),St. Lucia (Note #P&S 118/2009),and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Note # 236/2009)for weather observation and tropical storm/hurricane reconnaissance missions. ¶2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of each of the above listed countries has confirmed their preference that over-flight clearance requests be submitted on an annual basis for weather observation research flights and tropical storm/hurricane reconnaissance missions. Therefore, 'permanent' blanket over-flight clearance is not granted. HARDT