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Europe
EU fights back in 'visa wars' with US
2006-06-20
The European commission threatened to force US diplomats to apply for visas to work in parts of the EU on Monday, in retaliation for the refusal of Washington to allow visa-free access to the US to all EU citizens.

On the eve of a visit by George Bush to Europe, an internal commission paper warned of punitive steps. It said: "The only feasible retaliatory measure in the field of visa policy at this stage would be the introduction of visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports."
Hokay. Fine by us. You won't mind if we do the same, right?
Franco Frattini, the European justice commissioner, is understood to have told the US that the EU was prepared to impose restrictions unless EU citizens in eastern Europe were allowed into the US without visas. Travellers from all but one of the EU's new entrants have to apply for visas - only Slovenia is included in the visa waiver system.

Travellers from all but one of the EU-15, the union's members before the "big bang" expansion in 2004, are allowed to go to the US without visas. Only Greek citizens have to apply for visas.

A spokesman for the European commission said: "We hope that the visa waiver system is extended to all EU member states. The US's political recognition of the enlarged Europe should be recognised at a practical level."
So perhaps you could talk with us and help us with the problem we have with the current system, instead of the ticky-tack stuff.
Commission sources said they did not expect any change of heart by the US authorities, indicating that the "visa wars" may sour the atmosphere during a one-day EU/US summit in Vienna on Wednesday. Mr Bush hopes the summit will help to improve relations after disagreements over the Iraqi invasion.

One EU official said the US Congress appeared to be preparing to relax restrictions on Poland because its forces were supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "How many troops you have in Afghanistan and Iraq seems to decide visa policy," the official said.
It doesn't hurt.
US diplomats working in France, Greece and Spain already have to apply for visas. Any action would not apply to US diplomats in the UK, as Britain decides its own visa policy because it is not part of the border-free Schengen area of the EU.
Posted by:Steve White

#7  Hey, if the EU wants to act the sovereign, then so be it. Tell the EUssr that we'll do that as soon as they give up all seats in the UN except 1, that there will be no embassys in the US from Europe except 1, etc. etc.

They want to play in this league they have to play by the rules.
Posted by: AlanC   2006-06-20 08:49  

#6  Actually, the US should constantly revaluate visa regimes as the internation situation changes. The overriding concern is what is in the national interest to allow in the US.


US diplomats working in France, Greece and Spain already have to apply for visas.
This is great. The US should require visas for all people from these countries, reduce airline flights and increase trade tariffs. Trade and contacts are for friends, not enemies or even wannabe enemies. Quit playing the friendly goofball. You'll only get taken advantage of and despised in the process. Play hardball with a loaded bat.
Posted by: ed   2006-06-20 07:09  

#5  Ima likin' the Japanese approach to unwanted produce. Just make sure your inspectors are, um, too busy to get to that shipment until it's all a-spoiled an rotten and such.

Sad, but them's the breaks, eh?

Fuck the EU, with barbed-wire dildoes as someone said so eloquently yesterday. Life sucks if you're EU, and then you die unimproved, still stinkin of EU-ness.
Posted by: Javimp Angerenter8610   2006-06-20 06:48  

#4  So, since I'm not really a diplomatic sort, what is the proper reply to this? Do we do the ol' "Brer Rabbit" thing and apply for the visas, or do we just say "No problem, dude!" and apply for the visas....while taking our sweet time to issue ones to EU bureaucrats?
Posted by: Desert Blondie   2006-06-20 06:37  

#3  You f**kin wankers want to start playing games ? We'll take our ball and head home. And y'all be headin' home too. Right quick.
Posted by: SOP35/Rat   2006-06-20 02:16  

#2  UN PARKING TICKETS + Washington Embassy ones. Pay Now!
Posted by: 3dc   2006-06-20 02:11  

#1  Make US Diplos get visas? Sure thing. Don't forget the sternly worded letter. We frame those and hang 'em in the basement party room.

We have to treat all EU "members", including those which were hijacked into the mess without a democratic vote, exactly the same, huh? That's your call, is it, who we require to get visas? Heh.
Posted by: Ebbineper Ebbeaper1581   2006-06-20 01:39  

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