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14 October 2003
Frits Bolkestein
European Commissioner
Internal Market, Taxation, and Customs Union
European Commission
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Via e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Commissioner Bolkestein:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives -- a 2,500-member international travel trade organisation representing 37 countries and 15 billion euros in annual business travel expenditures -- suggests that all international carriers be granted immunity from prosecution, fines or restricted operations to and from the United States until the European Union and the United States can come to an agreement on the data privacy issue.
At stake is the recovery of the international transportation industry, the rights of the individual, and aviation security. Each of these issues is of paramount significance and must be afforded equal consideration. Rather than seek to enforce unworkable solutions or adhere to unrealistic deadlines, I suggest a moratorium be imposed on legal action, while a new priority be assigned to the resolution of this matter.
ACTE shares the European Commission's apprehension over the depth, proposed use, and storage of airline Passenger Name Records. These concerns are shared by the majority of ACTE's U.S.-based constituents, who have recently filed commentary with Transportation Safety Administration.
This association is ready to serve as your industry sounding board or as a communications conduit to the business travel industry.
Sincerely,
Mark Williams
ACTE President
www.acte.org
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