US succeeds in splitting EU over visa rules
Mar 14, 2008 | 9:00 am
#1
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US succeeds in splitting EU over visa rules
US succeeds in splitting EU over visa rules
This article appeared in the Guardian on Friday March 14 2008 on p20 of the International section. It was last updated at 00:18 on March 14 2008.
The US insisted yesterday on striking individual deals with European capitals on controversial transatlantic travel security measures, refusing to bow to EU demands to deal only with Brussels.
At a meeting in Slovenia with a group of European interior ministers and European commission officials, Michael Chertoff, chief of the US department of homeland security, maintained that US terms for lifting visa requirements for Europeans would be negotiated with national governments.
The new American terms, denounced as draconian by Brussels and resisted by Britain, include mandatory armed guards on all transatlantic flights by US carriers, stiffer passport control measures, exchanges of information on all travellers to the US from Europe, and a system requiring all travellers to apply online for permission to travel to the US before being able to buy a ticket.
On Wednesday the US signed agreements with two of the EU's three Baltic states after striking a deal with the Czech Republic last month, agreements that outraged Brussels and big western European countries, which feel their negotiating clout has been weakened by a US policy of dividing and ruling the Europeans.
In recent weeks the European commission has seen member states reject its argument that Europe would be much less vulnerable to US "bullying" if they pooled their bargaining weight.
Yesterday, Franco Frattini, the commissioner for justice, said the negotiations would be conducted on a "twin track" basis, so the US would be dealing with national governments as well as Brussels. European diplomats said they feared being "double crossed" by the Americans.
The US insisted yesterday on striking individual deals with European capitals on controversial transatlantic travel security measures, refusing to bow to EU demands to deal only with Brussels.
At a meeting in Slovenia with a group of European interior ministers and European commission officials, Michael Chertoff, chief of the US department of homeland security, maintained that US terms for lifting visa requirements for Europeans would be negotiated with national governments.
The new American terms, denounced as draconian by Brussels and resisted by Britain, include mandatory armed guards on all transatlantic flights by US carriers, stiffer passport control measures, exchanges of information on all travellers to the US from Europe, and a system requiring all travellers to apply online for permission to travel to the US before being able to buy a ticket.
On Wednesday the US signed agreements with two of the EU's three Baltic states after striking a deal with the Czech Republic last month, agreements that outraged Brussels and big western European countries, which feel their negotiating clout has been weakened by a US policy of dividing and ruling the Europeans.
In recent weeks the European commission has seen member states reject its argument that Europe would be much less vulnerable to US "bullying" if they pooled their bargaining weight.
Yesterday, Franco Frattini, the commissioner for justice, said the negotiations would be conducted on a "twin track" basis, so the US would be dealing with national governments as well as Brussels. European diplomats said they feared being "double crossed" by the Americans.
Mar 14, 2008 | 10:10 am
#2
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Did you expect anything less from Secretary of State Chertoff?
Actually, I'd like to know who from State accompanied him and was the de facto head of the US delegation?
Actually, I'd like to know who from State accompanied him and was the de facto head of the US delegation?
Mar 14, 2008 | 10:26 am
#3
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Skeletor is an idiot. "Apply for permission" first sure shoots the idea of a WVP right in the foot.
And what's better, we'll probably get reciprocal permission requirements. That's awesome.
And what's better, we'll probably get reciprocal permission requirements. That's awesome.
Mar 14, 2008 | 11:00 am
#4
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Mar 14, 2008 | 12:34 pm
#5
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Within the next 12 months we will see the following. Countries like the Baltic States, Czech Republic and other Eastern European countries will be forced to implement more and more security measures which are demanded by the DHS in order to keep the visa free travel. The public opinion in these Eastern European countries will change and the governments will call for help from Brussels.
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
Mar 14, 2008 | 1:47 pm
#7
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Within the next 12 months we will see the following. Countries like the Baltic States, Czech Republic and other Eastern European countries will be forced to implement more and more security measures which are demanded by the DHS in order to keep the visa free travel. The public opinion in these Eastern European countries will change and the governments will call for help from Brussels.
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
Mar 14, 2008 | 1:54 pm
#8
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To all of our friends from oversees, I'm sorry. I truly am. We'd really like to have you come visit us, but if you choose to stay home due to the ridiculous roadblocks that we put up, I don't blame you in the slightest. Heck, I'd almost encourage it, and be sure to send some letters to whomever is in charge these days about why you aren't coming. Eventually, the message will get through. I hope.
Mike
Mike
Mar 14, 2008 | 2:17 pm
#9
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What's the point of asking for permission? Why can't they just check you at the border like you do now?
Does this basically mean ALL international visitors must apply for permission to travel to America, or just those without a passport? I'm confused - the international travel and border rules are complicated to me.
Does this basically mean ALL international visitors must apply for permission to travel to America, or just those without a passport? I'm confused - the international travel and border rules are complicated to me.
Mar 14, 2008 | 2:53 pm
#10
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DHS/TSA wants the "advance permission" rule to apply to anyone wanting to visiting the U.S. who is eligible for a "visa waiver". The advanced permission is a visa by any other name.
Mar 15, 2008 | 2:06 am
#12
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Within the next 12 months we will see the following. Countries like the Baltic States, Czech Republic and other Eastern European countries will be forced to implement more and more security measures which are demanded by the DHS in order to keep the visa free travel. The public opinion in these Eastern European countries will change and the governments will call for help from Brussels.
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
The old European Union members will still negotiate through Brussels with the DHS. The negotiations will finally stall and DHS will abandon the visa waiver for these countries. The Euro will be worth $2. Business relations between the EU and the US will start to decrease. Less and less foreign money is invested in US financial projects. A second far worse mortgage crisis hits the US which will lead to the collapse of several investment firms and banks.
The isolation of the United States is a strong as it was in the 1920ties and 30ties.
And all that in the name of fake security!
With the cheap dollar, however, I doubt that Europe will stall or even slow down business ventures in the US, especially if it goes 2:1 dollar:euro.
Mar 15, 2008 | 5:34 am
#13
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Just remember to make your travel arrangements at least 3 days in advance, and only by fully refundable tickets in case your visa application is rejected. Forget about those cheap last minute flights.
Mar 15, 2008 | 7:22 am
#14
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Mar 15, 2008 | 11:36 am
#15
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