22 U.S.C. § 5503 — Department of State notification of fami-

Page 1669 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 5504 1 See References in Text note below. (1) to seek bilateral agreements to achieve United States aviation security objectives with foreign governments; (2) to continue to press vigorously for secu- rity improvements through the Foreign Air- port Security Act 1 and the foreign airport as- sessment program; and (3) to continue to work through the Inter- national Civil Aviation Organization to im- prove aviation security internationally. (b) Negotiations for aviation security (1) The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall be responsible for negotiating requisite aviation se- curity agreements with foreign governments concerning the implementation of United States rules and regulations which affect the foreign operations of United States air carriers, foreign air carriers, and foreign international airports. The Secretary of State is directed to enter, ex- peditiously, into negotiations for bilateral and multilateral agreements— (A) for enhanced aviation security objec- tives; (B) to implement the Foreign Airport Secu- rity Act 1 and the foreign airport assessment program to the fullest extent practicable; and (C) to achieve improved availability of pas- senger manifest information. (2) A principal objective of bilateral and mul- tilateral negotiations with foreign governments and the International Civil Aviation Organiza- tion shall be improved availability of passenger manifest information. (Pub. L. 101–604, title II, § 201, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3081.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT No act with the title Foreign Airport Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (b)(1)(B), has been en- acted. The Foreign Airport Security Act probably means part B (§§ 551–559) of title V of Pub. L. 99–83, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 222. For complete classification of part B to the Code, see Tables. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS Pub. L. 101–604, § 2, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3066, pro- vided that: ‘‘Congress finds that— ‘‘(1) the safety and security of passengers of United States air carriers against terrorist threats should be given the highest priority by the United States Gov- ernment; ‘‘(2) the report of the President’s Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism, dated May 15, 1990, found that current aviation security systems are in- adequate to provide such protection; ‘‘(3) the United States Government should imme- diately take steps to ensure fuller compliance with existing laws and regulations relating to aviation se- curity; ‘‘(4) the United States Government should work through the International Civil Aviation Organiza- tion and directly with foreign governments to en- hance aviation security of foreign carriers and at for- eign airports; ‘‘(5) the United States Government should ensure that enhanced security measures are fully imple- mented by both United States and foreign air car- riers; ‘‘(6) all nations belonging to the Summit Seven should promptly amend the Bonn Declaration to ex- tend sanctions for all terrorist acts, including at- tacks against airports and air carrier ticket offices; ‘‘(7) the United States Government, in bilateral ne- gotiations with foreign governments, should empha- size upgrading international aviation security objec- tives; ‘‘(8) the United States Government should have in place a mechanism by which the Government notifies the public, on a case-by-case basis and through the application of a uniform national standard, of certain credible threats to civil aviation security; ‘‘(9) the United States Government has a special ob- ligation to United States victims of acts of terrorism directed against this Nation and should provide prompt assistance to the families of such victims and assure that fair and prompt compensation is provided to such victims and their families; ‘‘(10) the United States should work with other na- tions to treat as outlaws state sponsors of terrorism, isolating such sponsors politically, economically, and militarily; ‘‘(11) the United States must develop a clear under- standing that state-sponsored terrorism threatens United States values and interests, and that active measures are needed to counter more effectively the terrorist threat; and ‘‘(12) the United States must have the national will to take every feasible action to prevent, counter, and respond to terrorist activities.’’ § 5502. Coordinator for Counterterrorism The Coordinator for Counterterrorism shall be responsible for the coordination of international aviation security for the Department of State. (Pub. L. 101–604, title II, § 202, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3082.) § 5503. Department of State notification of fami- lies of victims (a) Department of State policy It is the policy of the Department of State pursuant to section 2715 of this title to directly and promptly notify the families of victims of aviation disasters abroad concerning citizens of the United States directly affected by such a disaster, including timely written notice. The Secretary of State shall ensure that such notifi- cation by the Department of State is carried out notwithstanding notification by any other per- son. (b) Department of State guidelines Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary of State shall issue such regula- tions, guidelines, and circulars as are necessary to ensure that the policy under subsection (a) is fully implemented. (Pub. L. 101–604, title II, § 204, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3083.) § 5504. Designation of State Department-family li- aison and toll-free family communications system (a) Designation of State Department-family liai- son Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary of State shall issue such rules and guidelines as are necessary to provide that in