12 FAM 160
DIPLOMATIC COURIER TRANSPORTATION
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
(Office of Origin: DS/C/DC)
12 FAM 161 GENERAL POLICY
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
a. Posts must exercise sound security practice and
maintain mechanically safe vehicles in accordance with 15 FAM 957.3,
Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program Requirements, when transporting
diplomatic couriers to and from port of entry or departure in time to meet
processing requirements with their classified diplomatic pouches.
b. With prior diplomatic courier approval, the vehicles
designated to transport diplomatic couriers may be used to transport embassy
employees, locally employed Staff (LE Staff), or other personnel to and from
airports. The diplomatic courier has the final authority to refuse this
request.
c. All mission movement must be in accordance with
regional security office (RSO) post policy.
12 FAM 162 VEHICLES
12 FAM 162.1 General
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
a. Security standards and sound mechanical condition of
vehicles must be maintained in accordance with 15 FAM 957.3
Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program Requirements to avoid breakdowns or
accidents while diplomatic couriers are in possession of classified material.
Open, flat-bedded trucks are not acceptable to transport diplomatic
courier-accompanied classified diplomatic pouches. Doors, locks, and windows
must function properly.
b. When security conditions warrant, the diplomatic courier
must be transported in accordance with post policy (i.e., armored vehicle).
c. Diplomatic couriers are authorized to use taxis, or
other nongovernmental conveyance, only in emergencies or when official
transportation is not available in accordance with post policy.
12 FAM 162.2 Diplomatic or Consular
License Plates
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
a. Diplomatic couriers and classified diplomatic
pouches should be transported to and from airports in vehicles bearing
diplomatic or consular license plates.
b. Posts may designate vehicles bearing other types of
license plates to transport diplomatic couriers and classified diplomatic
pouches if the use of a vehicle with diplomatic or consular license plates is
not safe due to local security conditions. This decision does not require
Department approval, but posts should inform the Office of the Diplomatic
Courier Service (DS/C/DC) and the RDCO of such situations.
c. A non-U.S. Government or contract vehicle may be
used if required by the size of the classified diplomatic pouch shipment or
other operational concerns. This decision does not require Department
approval, but posts should inform DS/C/DC and RDCO of such situations.
12 FAM 162.3 COMMUNICATIONS
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
Posts should equip any vehicle used to transport
classified diplomatic pouches with a communication device capable of contacting
the posts base station and emergency personnel.
12 FAM 163 REPORTING AND CORRECTING
DISCREPANCIES
(CT:DS-170; 10-19-2011)
a. Diplomatic couriers must report vehicles that do not
comply with the established standards in 15 FAM 957.3,
Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program Requirements, to the RSO and the RDCO
or Diplomatic Courier Hub.
b. Post is responsible for remedying any deficiencies
and providing suitable modes of transportation.
12 FAM 164 THROUGH 169 UNASSIGNED