US gov wants data on Europe air passengers

The US government is pressuring 27 European Union nations to agree on new transatlantic air travel security measures which include armed guards on all flights from Europe to America operated by US airlines. Snip:

The demand to put armed air marshals on to the flights is part of a travel
clampdown by the Bush administration that officials in Brussels described as
"blackmail" and "troublesome", and could see west Europeans and Britons
required to have US visas if their governments balk at Washington's
requirements.

According to a US document being circulated for signature in European
capitals, EU states would also need to supply personal data on all air
passengers overflying but not landing in the US in order to gain or retain
visa-free travel to America, senior EU officials said.

And within months the US department of homeland security is to impose a new
permit system for Europeans flying to the US, compelling all travellers to
apply online for permission to enter the country before booking or buying a
ticket, a procedure that will take several days.

Link (via Ned Sublette's list)