Page 1197 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 5505

REFERENCES IN TEXT

No act with the title Foreign Airport Security Act,

referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (b)(1)(B), has been enacted. 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.

CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS

Section 2 of Pub. L. 101–604 provided 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 Government;

‘‘(2) the report of the President’s Commission on

Aviation Security and Terrorism, dated May 15, 1990,

found that current aviation security systems are inadequate to provide such protection;

‘‘(3) the United States Government should immediately take steps to ensure fuller compliance with

existing laws and regulations relating to aviation security;

‘‘(4) the United States Government should work

through the International Civil Aviation Organization and directly with foreign governments to enhance aviation security of foreign carriers and at foreign airports;

‘‘(5) the United States Government should ensure

that enhanced security measures are fully implemented by both United States and foreign air carriers;

‘‘(6) all nations belonging to the Summit Seven

should promptly amend the Bonn Declaration to extend sanctions for all terrorist acts, including attacks against airports and air carrier ticket offices;

‘‘(7) the United States Government, in bilateral negotiations with foreign governments, should emphasize upgrading international aviation security objectives;

‘‘(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 obligation 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 nations to treat as outlaws state sponsors of terrorism,

isolating such sponsors politically, economically, and

militarily;

‘‘(11) the United States must develop a clear understanding 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.)

AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF STATE

Except as otherwise provided, Secretary of State to

have and exercise any authority vested by law in any

official or office of Department of State and references

to such officials or offices deemed to refer to Secretary

of State or Department of State, as appropriate, but for

not less than one year after Apr. 30, 1994, an Office of

the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, headed by a Coordinator for Counterterrorism, to be in Department of

State and to have same responsibilities and function as

such Office had as of Jan. 20, 1993, see section 2651a of

this title and section 161(d), (e) of Pub. L. 103–236, set

out as notes under section 2651a of this title.

§ 5503. Department of State notification of families 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 notification by the Department of State is carried out

notwithstanding notification by any other person.

(b) Department of State guidelines

Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990,

the Secretary of State shall issue such regulations, guidelines, and circulars as are necessary

to ensure that the policy under subsection (a) of

this section is fully implemented.

(Pub. L. 101–604, title II, §204, Nov. 16, 1990, 104

Stat. 3083.)

§ 5504. Designation of State Department-family liaison and toll-free family communications

system

(a) Designation of State Department-family liaison

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

the event of an aviation disaster directly involving United States citizens abroad, if possible,

the Department of State will assign a specific

individual, and an alternate, as the Department

of State liaison for the family of each such citizen.

(b) Toll-free communications system

In the establishment of the Department of

State toll-free communications system to facilitate inquiries concerning the affect of any disaster abroad on United States citizens residing or

traveling abroad, the Secretary of State shall

ensure that a toll-free telephone number is reserved for the exclusive use of the families of

citizens who have been determined to be directly

involved in any such disaster.

(Pub. L. 101–604, title II, §205, Nov. 16, 1990, 104

Stat. 3083.)

§ 5505. Disaster training for State Department

personnel

(a) Additional training

The Secretary of State shall institute a supplemental program of training in disaster management for all consular officers.

(b) Training improvements

(1) In expanding the training program under

subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of

State shall consult with death and bereavement