Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES139
2009-02-10 17:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA: GOA REQUESTS FAA SECURITY REASSESSMENT DELAY
how-toVZCZCXRO7637 RR RUEHMT DE RUEHBU #0139 0411737 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 101737Z FEB 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3010 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//AWH-10// RHMCSUU/FAA MIAMI SO IFO23 MIAMI FL RHMFIUU/FAA MIAMI ARTCC MIAMI FL RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RUEHMT/AMCONSUL MONTREAL 0069
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000139
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE EEB FOR DAN MOORE, MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE, KRISTIN GUSTAVSON
TRANSPORTATION FOR BRIAN HEDBERG
FAA FOR BONNIE AHUMADA, ANNA SABELLA, KRISTA BERQUIST
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUEZ
BRASILIA FOR SHARON WALLOOPPILLAI
MONTREAL PASS USMISSION TO ICAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: GOA REQUESTS FAA SECURITY REASSESSMENT DELAY
Reftel: STATE 9355
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000139
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE EEB FOR DAN MOORE, MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE, KRISTIN GUSTAVSON
TRANSPORTATION FOR BRIAN HEDBERG
FAA FOR BONNIE AHUMADA, ANNA SABELLA, KRISTA BERQUIST
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUEZ
BRASILIA FOR SHARON WALLOOPPILLAI
MONTREAL PASS USMISSION TO ICAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: GOA REQUESTS FAA SECURITY REASSESSMENT DELAY
Reftel: STATE 9355
1. (SBU) Econoff and Defense Attache delivered reftel demarche to
Brigadier (two stars) Marcelo Adolfo Ayerdi, the new head of the
Comando Regiones Aereas (CRA),February 6. On February 9, Post
received a letter response from Ayerdi requesting that the proposed
formal reassessment be delayed "no fewer than 60 days" after the
proposed dates due to a pending April 1 transfer of civil aviation
authority from the CRA to the recently established civilian agency
ANAC (National Civil Aviation Administration).
2. (SBU) During the February 6 meeting, Ayerdi welcomed an FAA
inspection in principle, but cautioned that the proposed FAA
reassessment timing would complicate this transfer process, and
likened it to consulting with "an owner who is leaving." He stated
that his staff is working very hard to meet the April 1 transfer
deadline and expressed the concern that hosting this visit would
hinder his CRA organization's ability to focus on the many details
of the changeover - everything from union workers' issues to lines
of authority in the event of a national emergency. Furthermore, he
added that ANAC, not the CRA, would be responsible for correcting
any problems which were identified and asked, "Can you wait one
month?"
3. (SBU) PolCouns received a follow-up phone call February 6 from an
adviser to the Minister of Defense (MoD) calling the timing of the
request "inopportune" due to the pending transfer of civil aviation
authority. On February 9, the same adviser clarified to POLOFF that
the MOD "looks forward to the meeting, wants to hear and address FAA
concerns, but must insist that we undertake the consultations
anytime after the transfer to civilian authority is complete on
April 1, 2009."
4. (SBU) On safety issues, CRA head Ayerdi (who has been the head of
the CRA for less than one week) stated that ICAO had sent a team for
a two-week inspection from November 20 - December 6,2008. (Note:
TSA at Post notes that ICAO sent a security inspection team to
Argentina in September 2008. End Note.) He claimed that ICAO gave
the Argentine system an "81% rating", and compared that to the 55%
he said Uruguay earned, where the inspectors went upon leaving
Argentina.
5. (SBU) Per Reftel instructions, Post demarched Foreign Ministry
Director of Economic Integration Ambassador Galie and Minister
Kaminka February 10, using talking points provided. In addition, we
have requests in for meetings with Ministry of Planning Secretariat
of Transportation Civil Aviation Director Alba Tomas Hatti and with
ANAC Director Rodolfo Gabrielli.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Argentina is indeed transitioning to civilian leadership of
its civil aviation authority. As one local official put it, I hope
the FAA can imagine the effects on their operations of undergoing
such a transition. Under these circumstances, Post thinks it wise
to accede to the CRA's request to postpone the assessment mission
for 60 days.
WAYNE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE EEB FOR DAN MOORE, MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE, KRISTIN GUSTAVSON
TRANSPORTATION FOR BRIAN HEDBERG
FAA FOR BONNIE AHUMADA, ANNA SABELLA, KRISTA BERQUIST
FAA MIAMI FOR JAY RODRIGUEZ
BRASILIA FOR SHARON WALLOOPPILLAI
MONTREAL PASS USMISSION TO ICAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: GOA REQUESTS FAA SECURITY REASSESSMENT DELAY
Reftel: STATE 9355
1. (SBU) Econoff and Defense Attache delivered reftel demarche to
Brigadier (two stars) Marcelo Adolfo Ayerdi, the new head of the
Comando Regiones Aereas (CRA),February 6. On February 9, Post
received a letter response from Ayerdi requesting that the proposed
formal reassessment be delayed "no fewer than 60 days" after the
proposed dates due to a pending April 1 transfer of civil aviation
authority from the CRA to the recently established civilian agency
ANAC (National Civil Aviation Administration).
2. (SBU) During the February 6 meeting, Ayerdi welcomed an FAA
inspection in principle, but cautioned that the proposed FAA
reassessment timing would complicate this transfer process, and
likened it to consulting with "an owner who is leaving." He stated
that his staff is working very hard to meet the April 1 transfer
deadline and expressed the concern that hosting this visit would
hinder his CRA organization's ability to focus on the many details
of the changeover - everything from union workers' issues to lines
of authority in the event of a national emergency. Furthermore, he
added that ANAC, not the CRA, would be responsible for correcting
any problems which were identified and asked, "Can you wait one
month?"
3. (SBU) PolCouns received a follow-up phone call February 6 from an
adviser to the Minister of Defense (MoD) calling the timing of the
request "inopportune" due to the pending transfer of civil aviation
authority. On February 9, the same adviser clarified to POLOFF that
the MOD "looks forward to the meeting, wants to hear and address FAA
concerns, but must insist that we undertake the consultations
anytime after the transfer to civilian authority is complete on
April 1, 2009."
4. (SBU) On safety issues, CRA head Ayerdi (who has been the head of
the CRA for less than one week) stated that ICAO had sent a team for
a two-week inspection from November 20 - December 6,2008. (Note:
TSA at Post notes that ICAO sent a security inspection team to
Argentina in September 2008. End Note.) He claimed that ICAO gave
the Argentine system an "81% rating", and compared that to the 55%
he said Uruguay earned, where the inspectors went upon leaving
Argentina.
5. (SBU) Per Reftel instructions, Post demarched Foreign Ministry
Director of Economic Integration Ambassador Galie and Minister
Kaminka February 10, using talking points provided. In addition, we
have requests in for meetings with Ministry of Planning Secretariat
of Transportation Civil Aviation Director Alba Tomas Hatti and with
ANAC Director Rodolfo Gabrielli.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Argentina is indeed transitioning to civilian leadership of
its civil aviation authority. As one local official put it, I hope
the FAA can imagine the effects on their operations of undergoing
such a transition. Under these circumstances, Post thinks it wise
to accede to the CRA's request to postpone the assessment mission
for 60 days.
WAYNE