scoone
01-14-2004, 03:30 PM
EU Aviation Officials to Discuss Sky Marshals
Wed January 14, 2004 12:47 PM ET
BRUSSELS (*******) - European Union civil aviation officials will meet Friday to discuss whether armed guards should be allowed on commercial flights, as requested by the United States as part of its global fight against terrorism.
Washington has asked foreign airlines to place armed marshals on selected flights to and from the United States to thwart potential terrorist attacks.
But the request has sparked some criticism in the EU amid fears the safety of the passengers may be at risk if guns were brought on board.
The subject of "sky marshals" is only one of the many to be addressed by officials at their regular meeting in Brussels and no decision was expected on this controversial topic.
"The meeting is a technical one and will include the subject of sky marshals," European Commission spokesman Gilles Gantelet told reporters.
"At this stage it is only a first exchange of views."
The Commission, the EU's executive, plays no role on police matters, which are left to individual EU member states.
Fears of Sept. 11-style attacks led to the cancellation of several Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles late in December and British Airlines flights between London and Washington were canceled earlier this month following security alerts.
A Commission official told ******* Friday's meeting had been brought forward at the request of the Irish EU presidency given the sensitivity of the issue of air marshals.
Armed sky marshals disguised as regular passengers are already boarding thousands of U.S. airlines' flights each week.
Washington is also collecting personal data of all U.S.-bound airline passengers to screen them for potential threats before they board a plane.
U.S. officials have been invited to attend the meeting to explain how the system works.
Britain is not opposed to the use of armed policemen on planes as long as passengers were safe. "There is a role for air marshals. But our primary concern is the safety of the passengers," a British official told *******.
Wed January 14, 2004 12:47 PM ET
BRUSSELS (*******) - European Union civil aviation officials will meet Friday to discuss whether armed guards should be allowed on commercial flights, as requested by the United States as part of its global fight against terrorism.
Washington has asked foreign airlines to place armed marshals on selected flights to and from the United States to thwart potential terrorist attacks.
But the request has sparked some criticism in the EU amid fears the safety of the passengers may be at risk if guns were brought on board.
The subject of "sky marshals" is only one of the many to be addressed by officials at their regular meeting in Brussels and no decision was expected on this controversial topic.
"The meeting is a technical one and will include the subject of sky marshals," European Commission spokesman Gilles Gantelet told reporters.
"At this stage it is only a first exchange of views."
The Commission, the EU's executive, plays no role on police matters, which are left to individual EU member states.
Fears of Sept. 11-style attacks led to the cancellation of several Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles late in December and British Airlines flights between London and Washington were canceled earlier this month following security alerts.
A Commission official told ******* Friday's meeting had been brought forward at the request of the Irish EU presidency given the sensitivity of the issue of air marshals.
Armed sky marshals disguised as regular passengers are already boarding thousands of U.S. airlines' flights each week.
Washington is also collecting personal data of all U.S.-bound airline passengers to screen them for potential threats before they board a plane.
U.S. officials have been invited to attend the meeting to explain how the system works.
Britain is not opposed to the use of armed policemen on planes as long as passengers were safe. "There is a role for air marshals. But our primary concern is the safety of the passengers," a British official told *******.