(U) CONFIRMATION OF ESTA ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANCE

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000081 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS CMGT KPAO HU SUBJECT: (U) CONFIRMATION OF ESTA ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANCE REF STATE 5558 ¶1. (U) Per Reftel, ConsChief and ConOff met January 28 with Budapest International Airport Police Chief Jozsef Duzs, Deputy Chief Miklos Balogh, and Delta Airlines Security Director Istvan Szabo to discuss the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's plans to enforce compliance with the requirement for Visa Waiver travelers to obtain clearance from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding flights bound for the United States. Mr. Duzs, Mr. Balogh, and Mr. Szabo are collectively responsible for ensuring all travelers meet ESTA and ICAO standards. They were all familiar with the details of the new requirements. ¶2. (SBU) Chief Duzs also took a few moments to explain extra security measures taken since the attempted Christmas Bombing in Detroit. Security cameras have been added to the check-in area and the number of plain-clothes officers between the security check area and boarding gates has been increased. In addition, fifty percent of passengers boarding Delta's direct flight to New York are subject to a full manual check of hand luggage and a thorough frisking. (COMMENT: ConOff was a passenger on this flight in early January and can attest to the thoroughness of these procedures. END COMMENT.) Duzs stressed that airport security worked closely with Delta authorities to implement the enhanced security procedures while ensuring that Delta flights "depart on or as close to schedule as possible." ¶3. (SBU) Duzs also noted that the attempted terrorist action in Detroit was an "excellent test for Budapest airports security systems. We moved quickly and implemented new procedures within hours of the attempted attack." He said that the many drills and simulations undertaken over the past year had dramatically increased the airport's ability to respond to fast-breaking events. Duzs also said that he appreciated the close cooperation of the U.S. Embassy particularly pertaining to the verification of passports and other identity documents. Kounalakis