"Russian commission urges passenger 'psychological testing' at airports"

Thursday, September 23, 2004

State comsn urges to introduce psychological testing at airports - 23/9 Tass
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Russia - Itar-Tass


MOSCOW, (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Transport and Interior Ministries have
been recommended "within a short period of time to tighten security
measures" aimed at preventing terror acts at aviation transport.

Measures to raise the level of aviation security were proposed at a meeting
of the State Commission under the chairmanship of Transport Minister Igor
Levitin on Thursday.

The commission met to establish the causes of the recent crashes of the
Tu-134 and Tu-154 passenger aircraft.

The press service of the transport ministry told Itar-Tass it has been
proposed, in particular, to introduce mandatory psychological testing of
passengers and their "personal search, including with the use of trace
explosive detectors" at airports.

The commission proposed to equip entrances to airport passenger terminals
and airports with places for search of passengers and examination of their
luggage and hold baggage, as well as for checking of all those who see off
and welcome passengers.

The transport ministry has also been recommended to "draft and submit to the
Russian government its proposals on state support to Russian airports."

First of all the proposals should be prepared on the renovation of technical
means of examination, including at the expense of the federal budget, the
press service explained.

In addition the State Commission considers it necessary to introduce changes
to the current legislation and normative acts, envisaging stepping up of
anti-terrorism prevention measures in civil aviation.

In the view of the commission, it is also necessary to introduce
certification of airports, air carriers and security service personnel for
compliance with requirements of the Federal Aviation Rules and tighten
criminal and administrative responsibility for violation of safety
regulations.

Igor Levitin said the State Commission will continue work "until financial
aid is paid in full volume to the relatives of those perished" in the air
crashes in the Rostov and Tula regions.


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