VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUP #0081 0391408
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081408Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4893

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000081 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS CMGT KPAO HU
SUBJECT: (U) CONFIRMATION OF ESTA ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANCE 
 
REF STATE 5558 
 
¶1.  (U) Per Reftel, ConsChief and ConOff met January 28 with 
Budapest International Airport Police Chief Jozsef Duzs, Deputy 
Chief Miklos Balogh, and Delta Airlines Security Director Istvan 
Szabo to discuss the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's plans 
to enforce compliance with the requirement for Visa Waiver travelers 
to obtain clearance from the Electronic System for Travel 
Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding flights bound for the United 
States.  Mr. Duzs, Mr. Balogh, and Mr. Szabo are collectively 
responsible for ensuring all travelers meet ESTA and ICAO standards. 
 They were all familiar with the details of the new requirements. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Chief Duzs also took a few moments to explain extra 
security measures taken since the attempted Christmas Bombing in 
Detroit.  Security cameras have been added to the check-in area and 
the number of plain-clothes officers between the security check area 
and boarding gates has been increased.  In addition, fifty percent 
of passengers boarding Delta's direct flight to New York are subject 
to a full manual check of hand luggage and a thorough frisking. 
(COMMENT:  ConOff was a passenger on this flight in early January 
and can attest to the thoroughness of these procedures. END 
COMMENT.) Duzs stressed that airport security worked closely with 
Delta authorities to implement the enhanced security procedures 
while ensuring that Delta flights "depart on or as close to schedule 
as possible." 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Duzs also noted that the attempted terrorist action in 
Detroit was an "excellent test for Budapest airports security 
systems.  We moved quickly and implemented new procedures within 
hours of the attempted attack."  He said that the many drills and 
simulations undertaken over the past year had dramatically increased 
the airport's ability to respond to fast-breaking events.  Duzs also 
said that he appreciated the close cooperation of the U.S. Embassy 
particularly pertaining to the verification of passports and other 
identity documents. 
 
Kounalakis