GOS AND MEDIA COMPLAIN ABOUT ENHANCED U.S. AVIATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000074 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EAIR KPAO OIIP PREL PTER SU SUBJECT: GOS AND MEDIA COMPLAIN ABOUT ENHANCED U.S. AVIATION SCREENING; SERVE NOTICE OF POSSIBLE RECIPROCITY ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Government of Sudan (GOS) officials and state-controlled media have reacted negatively to the news of enhanced airport security screening for U.S.-bound Sudanese nationals. Complaints centered on Sudan's inclusion on the list of countries receiving increased scrutiny by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Undersecretary Mutriff Siddiq informed Charge d'Affaires that the GOS may reciprocate with similar screening for U.S. passengers entering Sudan. He urged that the U.S. provide clarification on what the new procedures entailed. Reaction to news of enhanced screening was further complicated by a January 8 Warden Message, issued by U.S. Embassy Khartoum, warning of a potential attack against Air Uganda flights between Juba and Kampala. Noting that the GOS was not notified of the message prior to its posting, Siddiq urged that in the future such information be communicated to the GOS in advance. End Summary. -------------- GOVERNMENT THREATENS RECIPROCITY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On January 11, CDA Whitehead called on MFA Undersecretary Mutriff Siddiq by mutual agreement to discuss a range of issues, including enhanced screening requirements for Sudanese nationals traveling to the United States following the December 25 attempt by Abdul Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab to blow up a Delta flight. Siddiq expressed confusion over the new security directives - "it's not clear to us what these new procedures are." Regarding Sudan's inclusion for such scrutiny due to its being on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List, Mutriff argued that Sudan should not have been singled out, noting that the GOS continues to cooperate closely with the USG on counterterrorism issues. Siddiq warned the CDA that the GOS reserves the right to reciprocate with proportionate enhanced security for U.S. nationals traveling to Sudan. "We have been quite lenient in the past [towards Americans], but we will have to accord you the same treatment," he said. ¶3. (SBU) Siddiq also expressed concern over whether official delegations or government ministers would be subjected to the new security procedures, given the upcoming trip to Washington for consultations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by GOS Finance Minister Awad Aljaz, a regime hardliner with a well-known anti-U.S. bias. Asked whether Aljaz should be advised to cancel his trip, CDA responded that while government ministers were exempted from enhanced screening under TSA guidelines, he could make no guarantees for treatment of Aljaz by security personnel in transit countries. -------------- LOCAL MEDIA REACTS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Local media, especially those with pro-government views, reacted angrily to the news of enhanced screening. Pro-government Sudan Vision reported that "the American administration is tightening security measures at all of its airports against Arabs and Muslims, besides setting up new systems to screen passengers in grave violation of human rights." Following President Obama's January 7 remarks on "Strengthening Intelligence and Aviation Security," media reaction to the news of enhanced screening was further complicated by a January 8 Warden Message issued by U.S. Embassy Khartoum. The message alerted Americans to a "potential threat against commercial aviation transiting between Juba, Sudan and Kampala, Uganda by regional extremists." After the Embassy placed the Warden Message on the Consular website, the Public Affairs section received a flurry of inquiries from local and international media as to whether there was any link between the security threat and the President's remarks. KHARTOUM 00000074 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) The issuance of the Warden Message caught the GOS by surprise. MFA Undersecretary Siddiq complained to the CDA that the MFA, Civil Aviation Authority and National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) had not been informed prior to its posting. While Siddiq did not question the integrity or utility of the message, he urged that in the future such information be shared beforehand. CDA agreed on the need for better communication in the future. -------------- HEIGHTENED SECURITY AT JUBA AIRPORT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Following dissemination of the Warden Message, both the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) and Air Uganda took steps to heighten their security posture. On January 10, Air Uganda suspended its service into Juba pending a review of its security procedures, while on January 11 the GOSS changed procedures at the airport, requiring cars to park across the street from the terminal, checking all tickets and IDs before allowing people to enter terminal, and restricting access to the runway. The Southern Sudan Police Service (SSPS) has been deployed to Juba airport to carry out the new security policy; the GOSS Minister of Internal Affairs reportedly oversaw the operation himself for approximately three hours on January 11. However, authorities were still not screening passengers taking flights via the VIP Lounge at Juba Airport or scanning their hand-carry luggage. Post intends to explore how it can provide the GOSS with FAA or TSA technical assistance and advice on how to improve security at Juba International Airport. Air Uganda is planning to resume Juba-Kampala flights as soon as possible, but is asking Sudanese security officers carry out additional screenings of passengers before boarding Juba-Kampala flights. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Negative reaction to the enhanced security screening and possible reciprocity are hardly a surprise, but will likely contribute to the belief by many Sudanese that they are being unjustly singled out for political reasons. While the new measures are unlikely to deter ordinary Sudanese from applying for U.S. visas, it remains to be seen whether the enhanced screening will change the travel plans of some senior government officials such as Aljaz. Post requests specific information that we can share with the GOS on what the new TSA procedures entail and how they will be applied. End Comment. WHITEHEAD