Doc. 9895

9 September 2003

The acute terrorist threat against civil aviation posed by portable missiles

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Masseret and others

1.       The near catastrophe caused an Israeli airline near Mombassa, Kenya, in November 2002 from portable heat-seeking missiles launched by terrorists on the ground highlight the clear and present danger facing civil aviation around the world. The attempted, though eventually thwarted, acquisition of such weapons by terrorists in the United States in August 2003, from what is believed to be a supply of thousands, only serves to underline the imminence of the danger and the urgency of counteracting it.

2.       The Assembly – referring to its Resolution 1341 (2003) on “European Air Transport Policies: Crucial Choices at a Critical Time” and its Recommendation 1549 (2002) on “Air Transport and Terrorism: How to Enhance Security?” – believes that this “weak link” in the protection of aircraft in Europe and beyond requires urgent attention by governments, who must do their utmost to secure these weapons, apprehend those in possession of them, and interdict their circulation. Although costly, the installation of anti-missile protection aboard aircraft must now be seriously considered. The consequence of inaction resulting in a successful terrorist attack may well be the loss of hundreds of lives, the collapse of the airline industry and tourism, and incalculable damage to the world economy.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed ¹:

Masseret, France, SOC

Açikgöz, Turkey, EDG

Adam, Germany, EPP/CD

Ateş, Turkey, SOC

Başka, Slovakia, SOC

Braun, Hungary, EPP/CD

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Burbiene, Lithuania, SOC

Çavuşoğlu, Turkey, EDG

Crema, Italy, SOC

Frey, Switzerland, LDR

Griffiths, United Kingdom, SOC

Haupert, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Klympush, Ukraine, EPP/CD

Marshall, United Kingdom, SOC

Öhman, Sweden, SOC

Popa, Romania, SOC

Reimann, Switzerland, LDR

Riccardi, San Marino, SOC

Russell-Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Sasi, Finland, EPP/CD

Tulaev, Russia, EDG

Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group