Cablegate: Libyan Mission Questions Secondary Screening For

VZCZCXRO8301
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0912 2971711
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241711Z OCT 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2868
INFO RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000912

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP LY UN
SUBJECT: LIBYAN MISSION QUESTIONS SECONDARY SCREENING FOR
LIBYAN NATIONALS

1. Unclassified - entire text.

2. The Libyan Mission to the UN has sent USUN an October 18
diplomatic note protesting what it characterizes as an
instruction from the Department of Homeland Security that
nationals of certain countries - including Libya - be
subjected to secondary inspection on departure from U.S.
airports. The Mission requests to be informed whether this
procedure also applies to Libyan diplomats. Text of note
follows in paragraph 3 below.

3. Begin text: The Permanent Mission of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya to the United Nations in New York presents its
compliments to the Permanent Mission of the United States of
America to the United Nations and has the honor to inform the
latter that airline companies, when flying internationally
and domestically, place the symbol (ssss) on the tickets of
members of this mission and their families on their departure
from American airports. This measure constitutes unjustified
personal inspection for persons who enjoy diplomatic immunity
and occurs even on presentation of diplomatic passports and
tickets which confirm their status.

On questioning airline companies concerning the origin of
this procedure, they confirmed that this implements
instructions from the American Department of Homeland
Security requiring airline companies to place this symbol on
the tickets of persons of certain nationalities, including
Libyan citizens, regardless of their professional status.

The Permanent Mission of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the
United Nations would like to draw the attention of the
Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations
to this matter, wishes to inform the latter formally of the
basis of this measure, and wishes to be informed whether it
applies to diplomats and their families.

The Permanent Mission of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the
United Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to
the Permanent Mission of the United States of America to the
United Nations the assurances of its highest consideration.
End text.

4. USUN requests guidance for a reply.
WOLFF

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