Egypt Requests Support for Reelection to the ICAO Council

UNCLAS CAIRO 000368 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR EG ICAO PREL SUBJECT: Egypt Requests Support for Reelection to the ICAO Council (Level II) REF: EMBASSY EMAIL 18 FEB 2010 FORWARDING DIP NOTE TO DEPT NEA/ELA ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (SBU) Post received on February 8 a diplomatic note from the MFA's Multilateral Affairs Division. The dip note was addressed to all embassies accredited to Cairo, and was accompanied by a detailed aide memoire requesting support for a GOE bid for reelection to level II of the ICAO Council at the Montreal Assembly beginning September 28, 2010. The aide memoire cites GOE achievements at ICAO and the following organization and activities of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority: --Over the past five years the Ministry of Civil Aviation has organized into two holding companies, Egypt Air (composed of eight subsidiaries performing airline functions) and Egypt Holding Company (four subsidiaries performing airport and air traffic control functions); --GOE officials hold 16 positions within ICAO and regional civil aviation bodies; --The GOE has invested $200 million over last ten years in satellite communication, radar and air navigation aids; --Egypt's successful 2005 ICAO safety audit; Egypt Air's IATA safety certification; Egypt Maintenance Company's maintenance certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency; --Egypt's network of 11 international airports including recent and continuing terminal expansions and upgrades at Cairo International Airport. ¶3. (SBU) Informal Embassy translation of MFA note: (begin text) (complimentary opening): "Egypt is planning to run for re-election to membership of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization of the second category (States most helpful in services and navigation facilities). This will take place while the election is running during the 37th session of the General Assembly of the International Organization of Civil Aviation in Montreal (Canada) from 28th of September until 8th of October 2010.In light of relations of cooperation and mutual coordination of International nominations for the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Arab of Republic of Egypt would like (the USG) to support this election (enclosed in English is a memorandum of pilot information on the role of Egypt in the organization since the joining of Egypt to the council membership in 1947, as well Egypt's commitment and contribution in support the organization's activities, Enhancing of safety and security factors in Civil Aviation Category)." (end text) ¶4. (SBU) Action requested: Post requests Department guidance in replying to the diplomatic note. SCOBEY