Tighter EU air passenger checks 'probable': presidency

MADRID, Jan 17, 2010 (AFP) - A tightening of security at European airports, including the possible use of body scanners, is "probable," the Spanish presidency of the European Union said Sunday ahead of talks with US officials.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, told the El Pais daily that a botched Christmas Day jetliner bombing has "forced us to consider reinforcing air transport security."


He said that following the attempt, involving a Nigerian man who managed to board a US-bound flight in Amsterdam with explosives attached to his body, the US had taken the initiative on security.

As a result, the use of airport body scanners will be at the centre of talks between EU interior ministers and US Secretary of State for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at an informal meeting in Toledo, Spain on Thursday.

"What we will do as the Spanish presidency is seek a common position among the 27 (EU members). And it's probable that this position is heading towards reinforcing passenger checks in airports," Zapatero said, adding that he was open to the use of body scanners.

So far two European nations, the Netherlands and Britain, have said they will install body scanners, which can "see" through clothing, at their airports.

France and Italy have said they will try out the devices and the Czech Republic has said it is in favour of the technology but other countries are more cautious.

The outgoing European Commission dropped plans to introduce the scanners Europe-wide in 2008 following complaints from the assembly that they violate privacy rights and could impact on human health.

Spanish Transport Minister Jose Blanco said last week that their use was in the end "inevitable," while EU transport commissioner nominee Siim Kallas has said he has reservations on their use because of health and privacy concerns.

Incoming justice commissioner Viviane Reding has said she is opposed to the use of the scanners without strict guarantees on privacy.


by Hasbanullah Khan
(c) 2010 AFP