[THIRD DRAFT] Air Marshal Act

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

"The cost of putting an armed officer on every single flight, even the little two-sweater puddle jumpers and freight carriers, is prohibitively expensive. Besides, private airways have a vested interest in not being hijacked, and will protect their own assets without governmental assistance. Heartily opposed."

Thank you for your insight. I can see why expenses might upset you in a way to oppose this proposal. This proposal however only urges nations to employ Air Marshals. I quote the proposal:

RESERVES the power to deem the use of Air Marshals necessary, to the WA member state.

This also implies that a nation can decide to only employ Air Marshals on large airlines and cargo flights but leave smaller flights out of the program. Your other argument implies that a airliner might already have it's own Air Marshal program and therefor doesn't need any further protection.

Your state government can deem the use of Air Marshals for that company unnecessary. Should you need such a program because of regional instability or armed conflict, the government can tailor the program the way the government seems fit to the situation.

I hope this explanation makes you see the proposal from a different perspective.

[Separatist Peoples]

"The cost of putting an armed officer on every single flight, even the little two-sweater puddle jumpers and freight carriers, is prohibitively expensive. Besides, private airways have a vested interest in not being hijacked, and will protect their own assets without governmental assistance. Heartily opposed."

Thank you for your insight. I can see why expenses might upset you in a way to oppose this proposal. This proposal however only urges nations to employ Air Marshals. I quote the proposal:

RESERVES the power to deem the use of Air Marshals necessary, to the WA member state.

This also implies that a nation can decide to only employ Air Marshals on large airlines and cargo flights but leave smaller flights out of the program. Your other argument implies that a airliner might already have it's own Air Marshal program and therefor doesn't need any further protection.

Your state government can deem the use of Air Marshals for that company unnecessary. Should you need such a program because of regional instability or armed conflict, the government can tailor the program the way the government seems fit to the situation.

I hope this explanation makes you see the proposal from a different perspective.

"Then why is this necessary if it simply repeats the status quo?"

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

We find this necessary Ambassador Bell, because not every airliner has such a program active and may not be able to afford to employ Air Marshals because of their possible financial situation.

This proposal urges member states to install Air Marshal programs where needed and financially feasible, seeing that nations may not always take enough precautions to prevent terrorism, even when the nation is plagued by civil unrest or conflict.

This of course does not apply to every nation, as is sounds like your nation has taken the necessary measures to counter terrorism even if it is without help of your government. It would however be troubling if an aircraft of your neighbor nation is hijacked and then be used for an attack in New Gettysburg for instance. This is a possible scenario if that airliner or the state where the plane hails from did not take enough security measures. This is exactly why this proposal is being drafted: To prevent such an event from happening.

[Kaboomlandia]

Clause 1 is the one that I see problems with. Since Kaboomlandia has had on-and-off civil unrest in the past through to today, that would require having an armed guard on Kaboomlandia Air's little commuter flight between Calgary and Galturin. That seems like an unnecessary expense.

[Separatist Peoples]

We find this necessary Ambassador Bell, because not every airliner has such a program active and may not be able to afford to employ Air Marshals because of their possible financial situation.

"And your proposal solves this financial woe...where, exactly? I'm not seeing how this addresses that fact at all."

This proposal urges member states to install Air Marshal programs where needed and financially feasible, seeing that nations may not always take enough precautions to prevent terrorism, even when the nation is plagued by civil unrest or conflict.

"If a nation can't afford to place guards on aircraft, why would the WA urging them change that? If they are unwilling, why would the WA have any force on that?"

This of course does not apply to every nation, as is sounds like your nation has taken the necessary measures to counter terrorism even if it is without help of your government. It would however be troubling if an aircraft of your neighbor nation is hijacked and then be used for an attack in New Gettysburg for instance. This is a possible scenario if that airliner or the state where the plane hails from did not take enough security measures. This is exactly why this proposal is being drafted: To prevent such an event from happening.

"But it doesn't actually prevent it from happening. It does nothing to address why the situation if poor airline security exists in the first place. This is right up there with claiming that starving children are a problem in the world, so we should urge the children to be less hungry."

[Caracasus]

We feel ambassador, that to address some of the concerns of this assembly the following changes should be made.

Firstly, this resolution should only cover international flights. Bear in mind that the WA legislates on international issues. We can see the logic behind mandating a security presence on an international flight - on internal flights we feel that it would be best left to the discretion of individual nations.

Secondly, we feel that security personnel on flights is merely part of a bigger picture. We would like to see legislation that requires international flights to undergo reasonable security measures to ensure that potential terrorists do not bring weapons on board flights in the first place. Prevention is far better than cure. We would rather that potential terrorists are not able to smuggle weapons on board in the first place, rather than relying on the skills and training of a security officer to safely disarm or incapacitate them once they attempt to hijack the plane.

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

We feel ambassador, that to address some of the concerns of this assembly the following changes should be made.

Firstly, this resolution should only cover international flights. Bear in mind that the WA legislates on international issues. We can see the logic behind mandating a security presence on an international flight - on internal flights we feel that it would be best left to the discretion of individual nations.

Secondly, we feel that security personnel on flights is merely part of a bigger picture. We would like to see legislation that requires international flights to undergo reasonable security measures to ensure that potential terrorists do not bring weapons on board flights in the first place. Prevention is far better than cure. We would rather that potential terrorists are not able to smuggle weapons on board in the first place, rather than relying on the skills and training of a security officer to safely disarm or incapacitate them once they attempt to hijack the plane.

Dear Ambassador of Caracasus,

The second idea you proposed sounds like a good one. This would however lead to an entirely new resolution which is very large in size. The whole Air Marshal Act would only be a part of what you propose by comparison.

I would like to have your help on writing the resolution as a co-author. to make aviation save and secure against any terrorist attack. I ask this help of you as I am only just commissioned as ambassador. The Grand Duchy of The Lowlands and Saxony has always had a isolated view on foreign politics until recently.

I am keen on hearing your response. If you agree we could first make a list of the security measures we would like to see before making the first draft.

I give you my best regards,
Richard van Dongen

Chief-Adviser on Foreign Affairs
Advisory Agency for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of The Lowlands and Saxony

[Gran Tomania]

Dear Ambassador

I humbly suggest to specify the terrorist as an individual who "actively pursue the escalation of terror inside a country, by the means of terrorist acts, for the purpose of destabilizing the country's political, economical or social situation"; and to specify the terrorist acts as "criminal attack aimed to rise terror with no regards of innocents lives".

I leave to you esteemed collegues how to develop and add this suggestion of mine. I also express my complete approval for the measures this resolution adopts, as long as the use of lethal firearms is not compulsory (collateral damages can be unpredictable and deadly)

OOC: there is an issue about that, just to remind

[Elke and Elba]

Dear Ambassador

I humbly suggest to specify the terrorist as an individual who "actively pursue the escalation of terror inside a country, by the means of terrorist acts, for the purpose of destabilizing the country's political, economical or social situation"; and to specify the terrorist acts as "criminal attack aimed to rise terror with no regards of innocents lives".

I leave to you esteemed collegues how to develop and add this suggestion of mine. I also express my complete approval for the measures this resolution adopts, as long as the use of lethal firearms is not compulsory (collateral damages can be unpredictable and deadly)

OOC: there is an issue about that, just to remind

I'm a bit iffy with the definition. After all, what, is terror?

[Gran Tomania]

Terror, in this context, is the situation of public fear that certain actions or news create or help to create. But maybe the previously passed resolution WA Counterterrorism Act will better explain the question arised.

I also suggest this resolution to refer to WA Counterterrorism Act for the purpose of defining the words "terrorist" and "terrorism", avoiding inconsistencies

OOC: should have proposed that before...

[Wrapper]

Terror, in this context, is the situation of public fear that certain actions or news create or help to create. But maybe the previously passed resolution WA Counterterrorism Act will better explain the question arised.

I also suggest this resolution to refer to WA Counterterrorism Act for the purpose of defining the words "terrorist" and "terrorism", avoiding inconsistencies

OOC: should have proposed that before...

OOC: No you shouldn't have. That would be a House of Cards violation.

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

Dear Ambassadors,

After some congregating with other nations, I chose to make a third draft. I hope the made changes apply more strength to the proposal and that if approved will make a significant contribution to combat terrorism.

Kind Regards,
Richard van Dongen

Chief Adviser for Foreign Affairs
Saxonian Advisory Agency for Foreign Affairs

[Separatist Peoples]

"So the WA gets to tell us when we need to put armed guards on our aircraft, regardless of our own security assessment? Not a chance."

[John Turner]

"So the WA gets to tell us when we need to put armed guards on our aircraft, regardless of our own security assessment? Not a chance."

I was thinking the same thing myself. The Imperial Ministry of Security is going to be pleased the know they are complete morons who are totally incapable of making actual security assessments. Needless to say The Federation wholly opposes these draconian measures, and our drafting department will be sure to get right to work on a blocker should the authoring delegation choose to continue to pursue this.

Regards....

[Normlpeople]

OOC: John Turner? You are really scraping the bottom of the Liberal PM barrel. Have you done King yet? He seems up your alley...

IC: Clover shook her head "You are getting worse with your drafts. Not only do we take significant issue with armed personnel from other nations flying into our airports, with weapons, and acting in an official manner, your new committee that mandates them treads on the border of a WA police force.

You cannot condemn nations in a GA resolution either, as that action takes place in" Clover shuddered "the other chamber, and therefore would be against the rules of this assembly. To be honest, you would be better off leaning off the heavy handedness in regards to this, and focus on urging and suggesting ways in which to facilitate agreements between high risk nations and other nations where planes may be flying to. Forcing armed personnel aboard will only cause conflict, as you are now seeing"

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

OOC: John Turner? You are really scraping the bottom of the Liberal PM barrel. Have you done King yet? He seems up your alley...

IC: Clover shook her head "You are getting worse with your drafts. Not only do we take significant issue with armed personnel from other nations flying into our airports, with weapons, and acting in an official manner, your new committee that mandates them treads on the border of a WA police force.

You cannot condemn nations in a GA resolution either, as that action takes place in" Clover shuddered "the other chamber, and therefore would be against the rules of this assembly. To be honest, you would be better off leaning off the heavy handedness in regards to this, and focus on urging and suggesting ways in which to facilitate agreements between high risk nations and other nations where planes may be flying to. Forcing armed personnel aboard will only cause conflict, as you are now seeing"

Dear Clover,
How would you feel about the proposal if you look at the second draft? I would like to hear from you

Kind Regards,
Richard van Dongen

[Wrapper]

REQUIRES member states in regions with political instability such as civil unrest or armed conflict(s), to employ armed agents called "Air Marshals" in international flights both originating or headed for said region, to prevent hijackings from taking place.

We the Puddle Jumping Wads of Wrapper, brackets-pacifists-end brackets, are quite opposed to such a requirement. It could mean that, anytime Wads exercises their rights of assembly and mass protest, some WA committee comprised of non-Wads could deem that "civil unrest" and require armed persons on any flights to and from our nation. No, our nation has had a complete weapons ban for generations, and even in the name of international security, we cannot allow armed persons within our borders, whether on the ground or in our airspace.

CONDEMNS member states who willingly fail to comply to this resolution. Such action shall be seen as a crime against the people.

OOC: Compliance is not optional, as member nations must comply with all WA resolutions; and, condemnations belong in the Security Council.

[Kaboomlandia]

OOC: Your last clause is illegal. The SC doesn't "exist" from the viewpoint of the GA.

IC: "Great, so all I need to do is throw a clause or two encouraging nations to put armed guards on aircraft on my International Aircraft Safety draft, and that eliminates the need for this proposal entirely!

[Celsuis]

"I stand adamantly AGAINST this resolution. My nation has no obligation to and shall not subsidize the security of a private industry for any reason whatsoever. If private companies refuse to provide security for their customers, it is not the responsibility of my government to pay their expenses for them."

[Central Asian Republics]

"I don't think any nation with a large amount of political instability will want to deploy any Air Marshals, we're sure that it'll just paint the government who deployed the Air Marshals as an corrupt authoritarian regime, making their nation more unstable. Furthermore, what is it with the WA and pointless organisations? Shouldn't the job assigned to "RAMBO" be appointed to the WA directly, rather than a third party?"

[Grays Harbor]

RESERVES the power to deem the use of Air Marshals necessary, to RAMBO ( Regional Air Marshal Board for Operations), a newly appointed third party organisation in cooperation with the World Assembly.

This seems to be skirting pretty close to a WA police.

OOC: also, not a good acronym. Lose the movie reference.

[The Lowlands and Saxony]

Dear ambassadors,

It seems like this proposal is not getting any approval whether it is urging or demanding the use of Air Marshals. If it is a suggestion, people don't see the point in the whole proposal and if it is required, people are firmly against it.

I'd like to remind you again that I am new in international politics. The Grand Duchy of The Lowlands and Saxony have always been isolated till recently.

Unless there is an ambassador willing to help in forming a proposal that will be accepted on the floor, I am afraid that I need to stop pursuing the idea of getting a proper proposal.

Kind Regards,
Richard van Dongen

Chief-Adviser for Foreign Affairs
Saxonian Advisory Agency for Foreign Affairs

[Kaboomlandia]

Dear ambassadors,

It seems like this proposal is not getting any approval whether it is urging or demanding the use of Air Marshals. If it is a suggestion, people don't see the point in the whole proposal and if it is required, people are firmly against it.

I'd like to remind you again that I am new in international politics. The Grand Duchy of The Lowlands and Saxony have always been isolated till recently.

Unless there is an ambassador willing to help in forming a proposal that will be accepted on the floor, I am afraid that I need to stop pursuing the idea of getting a proper proposal.

Kind Regards,
Richard van Dongen

Chief-Adviser for Foreign Affairs
Saxonian Advisory Agency for Foreign Affairs

OOC: No harm or foul in junking a proposal. Just read the guides, do a little debating around here, and try again. Hope to see you again around here!

[Imperium Anglorum]

Unless there is an ambassador willing to help in forming a proposal that will be accepted on the floor, I am afraid that I need to stop pursuing the idea of getting a proper proposal.

OOC: There are many ideas and concepts which are palatable to the World Assembly and the populace large. Air marshals are just not one of them. Stay around, and you'll find your niche. Find something you're passionate about and stick with it.

[Normlpeople]

Dear Clover,
How would you feel about the proposal if you look at the second draft? I would like to hear from you

Kind Regards,
Richard van Dongen

OOC: Sorry, Been RL busy.

IC: "In my opinion, considering the logistics and international jurisdiction issues that will result in mandated air security staff, I believe the softer version, your second draft, is the direction you should go"