UPDATE ON U.S.-EGYPT AIR MARSHALS AGREEMENT

UNCLAS CAIRO 001371

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PREL PTER ASEC EG
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON U.S.-EGYPT AIR MARSHALS AGREEMENT

REF: STATE 16741


1. (SBU) KEY POINTS

--Over the past year, the USG has worked with GOE
interlocutors to conclude an Inflight Security Officers
agreement with Egypt. The agreement, once finalized, will
allow armed U.S. Federal Air Marshals to travel on board U.S.
flights to and from Egypt.

--The Egyptian Ministry of Interior, the Civil Aviation
Authority, and Egyptair provided Econoff, via interlocutors
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with their concerns
regarding the current draft MOU, which include relinquishment
of the Air Marshals' firearms upon entry into Egypt,
reciprocal treatment of Egyptian inflight security officers,
and command authority over the Air Marshals.

--Embassy Cairo has requested a new round of meetings with
GOE officials to discuss the GOE's concerns and move forward
with the agreement.

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BACKGROUND
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2. (SBU) The USG is seeking to conclude an Inflight Security
Officers (IFSO) agreement with the GOE to allow armed U.S.
Federal Air Marshals to travel on board flights between the
U.S. and Egypt (reftel). Over the past year, attorneys from
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met with GOE offiials
to discuss each side's concerns with the curent draft IFSO
Memorandum of Understanding. Inrecent months, the GOE has
been unresponsive to UG requests for an update on the MOU's
status. Rcently, MFA North American Division attorney Salma
Atef conveyed to Econoff the GOE's interagency cncerns
regarding the MOU.

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GOE issues with the current MOU
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3. (SBU) Atef said he Ministry of Interior is concerned with
the curent MOU's language on the requirements for the Ai
Marshals to deposit their firearms. The draft areement calls
for the Air Marshals to leave theirfirearms upon arrival in
a secured facility at te airport. MOI has requested the USG
provide laguage that clearly states the exact procedure for
the Air Marshals' relinquishing of their firearms It also
wants an article added that would allow Egypt to send armed
Egyptian air marshals on boad Egyptair flights going to the
United States. astly, the MOI wants further clarity on the
type of firearms and ammunition that would be carried y the
Air Marshals.


4. (SBU) Egyptair wants to make sure that the IFSO agreement
only applies t U.S. carriers. It does not want armed U.S.
AirMarshals on Egyptair flights, unless a specific theat to
that flight has been identified.


5. (SU) The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking an
additional article stating that the Air Marshalsfall under
the authority of the aircraft's commader (i.e. the captain).
The CAA also wants bothU.S. and Egyptian firearm laws to
apply to the Ar Marshals.

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Next Steps
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6. (SBU) Econoff and TSA's Amman-based field reresentative
are seeking meetings with the relevat GOE agencies to
discuss the current MOU impass. Embassy Cairo has requested
that the MFA coordinate an interagency meeting with Econoff
and TSA attorneys in mid-July. We will continue to report on
substantive developments.
SCOBEY