Russia opposed to US initiative to require amed security agents on civilian flights

The Russian transportation ministry is against US initiatives to make it mandatory that civilian airplanes are escorted by security agents, said Deputy Transportation Ministry Gennady Moshkov. 'Our aviation security department has expressed its disagreement with the Americans,' said Moshkov who defended the ministry's position by saying that in the 1970's the USSR made it mandatory to have all civilian flights monitored by security agents but the experience had negative results.

'Having civilian flights escorted by security agents could have more negative than positive effects. A person carrying a weapon on board a plane could easily become the target of terrorists who could try to take away his weapon,' said Moshkov. At the same time, Moshkov said Russian law did not prohibit security agents from accompanying civilian flights. Such a decision could be taken by the state aviation service at the request of an airlines company. '

The US intends to amend the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization rule to require security agents on all civilian flights. The ICAO will consider the US initiative at its next session. According to Moshkov, only the US and Canada support such an amendment all other member-countries are opposed.