Cablegate: Aviation Safety and Security Meeting in Istanbul

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ANKARA 001200

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/TRA
STATE PLEASE PASS TDA
ROME FOR FAA
PARIS FOR TSA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ASEC ATRN TU
SUBJECT: AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING IN ISTANBUL

REF: ANKARA 553

1. (SBU) This cable contains an action request. See para 6.

2. (SBU) Summary: FAA-funded experts provided guidance on
international aviation safety and security systems to
approximately 70 Turkish government officials at a regional
meeting February 19-21. FAA and Turkish civil aviation
officials agreed that FAA consultations on aviation safety
oversight would take place May 22 in Ankara (reftel). End
summary.

3. (SBU) The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) hosted a regional meeting on Aviation Safety and
Security February 19-21 in Istanbul. The meeting, which was
sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and
George Washington University Consortium, was designed to
provide senior government officials guidance on implementing
ICAO safety and security requirements. FAA-funded experts
from the United States outlined the critical elements of
international aviation safety and security systems, including
a country,s obligations under ICAO, and guidelines for
meeting those obligations.

4. (SBU) Approximately 70 Turkish officials attended the
meeting, including 42 from the DGCA, 7 from the State
Airports Authority, 2 from Customs, and 19 from the Turkish
National Police. Senior FAA Representative Greg Joyner,
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Representative
Jess Presas, and embassy aviation officer attended for the
U.S. Representatives from the Polish and Israeli Civil
Aviation Authorities also participated in the meeting.

5. (SBU) Following up on previous discussions with Director
General Cebeci (reftel), Joyner and DGCA representatives
agreed that FAA/DGCA consultations on aviation safety
oversight would take place May 22 in Ankara. Joyner also
told DGCA officials that FAA hoped to provide technical
training to DGCA inspectors via a grant by the Trade and
Development Agency (TDA). DGCA officials emphasized to
emboff that such training would be extremely valuable and
greatly appreciated.

6. (SBU) Action request: The Turkish DGCA is working hard to
implement ICAO recommendations before the March ICAO audit
and May FAA consultations. If TDA and FAA are able to
provide technical training to DGCA inspectors, it would be
helpful to do so as soon as possible. Post would appreciate
any steps TDA and FAA could take to expedite such training.
PEARSON

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