Cablegate: Bahrain: Deletion of Crs Annex in Air Transport

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #2051 3531134
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191134Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6196
INFO RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEANHA/FAA HQ WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS MANAMA 002051

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EB/TRA, NEA/ARP
DOT FOR MSTREET
FAA FOR LHART

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR KTIA BA BILAT
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DELETION OF CRS ANNEX IN AIR TRANSPORT
AGREEMENTS

REF: A. STATE 127291
B. 04 MANAMA 1235

1. (U) Further to the 2004 GOB agreement in principle (Ref.
B), and in response to August 30 subject demarche (Ref. A)
delivered by EconOff, the MFA conveyed its tentative
agreement November 2 to the deletion of the Computer
Reservation Systems (CRS) Annex of the U.S. - Bahrain Air
Transport Agreement via diplomatic note.

(Begin unofficial translation)

Kingdom of Bahrain
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bilateral Relations Directorate

Ref:14/100/231-78491
Date: November 2, 2006

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America in the Kingdom of Bahrain and refers to the
Embassy's note number 230, dated August 30, 2006, regarding
the Air Transport Agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain
and the United States of America.

The Ministry has the pleasure to notify the Embassy of the
desire of the Legislative Authorities in the Kingdom of
Bahrain to amend the Air Transport Agreement through a
protocol that is accepted by both of the friend countries.
The concerned authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain requests
the U.S. concerned authorities' views on this subject.

A copy of the referenced protocol is enclosed.

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to
the esteemed Embassy the assurances of its highest regard.

(End unofficial translation)

2. (U) A copy of the document "Protocol to Amend Air
Transport Agreement Between the Government of The Kingdom of
Bahrain and the Government of the United States of America,"
signed May 24, 1999 was attached to the diplomatic note.

3. (SBU) Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs Captain
Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Gaoud told EconOff December 5 that
although the Air Transport Agreement was originally ratified
by Parliament, a modification deleting the CRS Annex might be
approved by the Cabinet's Directorate of Legal Affairs.

4. (SBU) Ministry of Cabinet Affairs Director of Legal
Affairs Dr. Jameel Al-Alawi confirmed to EconOff December 7
that the CRS issue had been referred to him and that he would
review it to determine whether the annex could legally be
deleted by executive action or if parliamentary approval
would be required. He said he would inform the Embassy of
the direction the GOB would take.

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