*EPF213 06/03/2003
Fact Sheet: White House Cites G-8 Action on Aviation Security
(Leaders agree to control exports of shoulder-launched missiles) (310)

The White House has issued a fact sheet describing an agreement on commercial aviation security made at the June 1-3 G-8 summit in Evian, France.

The G-8 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Following is the fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Evian, France)

June 2, 2003

FACT SHEET

Enhancing Commercial Aviation Security

Presidential Action

-- Today, President Bush and the other G-8 Leaders endorsed a U.S.-driven plan to counter the threat to civil aviation posed by shoulder-launched missiles, or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS).

The Threat: The unsuccessful missile attack on an Israeli commercial airliner in Mombasa, Kenya, in November 2002 was a stark reminder of the threat posed by terrorists possessing MANPADS. MANPADS are widely available on black or gray markets around the world. Even an unsuccessful attack on a commercial airliner would have a devastating economic and political impact.

G-8 Response: Today, G-8 Leaders agreed to Cooperative Action to Enhance Transport Security and Control of MANPADS and will:

-- Adopt strict national controls over inventories and exports of MANPADS and key components;

-- Ban transfers of MANPADS to non-state end-users;

-- Help countries that wish to dispose of excess MANPADS stocks but lack the means to do so;

-- Exchange information on countries that are not cooperating to control stockpiles of these weapons;

-- Examine development of technical performance or launch control features that would preclude unauthorized use of newly produced MANPADS.

Other U.S. Action: The United States is also addressing MANPADS proliferation with the 33 nations of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which promotes international transparency and responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms, as well as bilaterally with key countries of concern.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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