NO U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN RUSSIAN COURIER

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003257 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2019 TAGS: EAIR PREL RU AF SUBJECT: NO U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN RUSSIAN COURIER OBSTRUCTION AT KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REF: MOSCOW 2548 Classified By: CDDEA Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Regarding the points contained in the Russian nonpaper reported in reftel, Post is aware of the October 5 incident in which Global Strategy Group, a British company, attempted to search a Russian diplomatic pouch upon its arrival in Kabul. ¶2. (U) Global is under contract to the government of the United Arab Emirates to provide aviation security screening at Kabul and Kandahar international airports. The Afghan Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation (MOTCA) is responsible for overseeing the company. ¶3. (U) The USG has no connection to Global or this incident. However, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency representative at post is briefing MOTCA officials on proper diplomatic pouch procedures. He will also suggest a written policy on pouch handling and the Vienna Convention be incorporated into security guidance MOTCA provides to Global. ¶4. (C) Post asks that Embassy Moscow pass this information, clarifying the lack of U.S. involvement in the October 5 incident or in Global's activities in Afghanistan to the Russian Foreign Ministry. EIKENBERRY