Cablegate: Open to Idea of Ffdo Program

VZCZCXRO4597
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2772 3040157
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310157Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3865
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 2066
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 5226
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS HANOI 002772

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TRA/OTP AND EAP/MLS
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PASS TO TSA REP SWALLOOPPILLAI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PTER VM
SUBJECT: OPEN TO IDEA OF FFDO PROGRAM

THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET.

REF: State 165447

1. (SBU) Summary. Vietnamese Civil Aviation Official was generally
open to the idea of the proposed Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO)
program. Embassy is seeking answers to his questions about the
program from the Transportation Security Administration
representative in Bangkok. End summary.

2. (SBU) On October 10, Econ/C discussed reftel points on the
proposed Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program with the Civil
Aviation Administration of Vietnam's (CAAV) Aviation Security
Department Deputy Director Mr. Nguyen Van Linh. Linh was generally
open to the proposal. Referring to the current arrangement
permitting Federal Air Marshals to fly armed on U.S. flights to and
from Vietnam, Linh indicated that CAAV would likely be willing to
discuss a similar agreement authorizing the FFDO program.

3. (SBU) Linh was interested in seeing a draft bilateral agreement
template on FFDO. He also asked for information on: how the FFDO
program operates in the United States; details on the requirements a
pilot must satisfy to be eligible for the FFDO program; and
applicability of the FFDO program to foreign air carriers now and in
the future. Econ/C explained some of the questions could best be
addressed in the course of further discussions for negotiations over
a bilateral agreement to facilitate FFDO flights to and from
Vietnam.

4. (SBU) Responding to Linh's request, on October 17 the Embassy
submitted a diplomatic note to CAAV to request beginning discussions
to negotiate for the FFDO program.

5. (SBU) As instructed in reftel, Embassy will work with the
regional Transportation Security Administration representative in
Bangkok to address Vietnam's concerns and questions as expressed by
Linh.

MARINE

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