DEMARCHE RELATED TO FINGERSCANNING MEMBERS OF

UNCLAS ANKARA 000944 SIPDIS CA/OCS/ACS E.O. 12356: N/A TAGS: CVIS CMGT SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RELATED TO FINGERSCANNING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ¶1. On January 29, 2004, at the request of Haluk Aca, Head of the Visa Department at the MFA, Chief of Section reviewed US fingerscanning requirements at the time of visa application and upon entry into the United States. ¶2. Mr. Aca explained that the MFA had received complaints from members of parliament required to be fingerprinted when applying for a tourist visa. The issue was raised directly with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Aca requested that members of Parliament traveling on diplomatic passports in a non-official capacity be exempt from the fingerscanning process when applying for a visa. ¶3. Consul explained current U.S. procedures and laws related to fingerscanning and the U.S. Visit program. Mr. Aca also raised the possibility of Turkey being part of the Visa Waiver Program. Consul also explained in very general terms the requirements for inclusion and clarified that Turkey was not qualified to participate at this time. ¶4. Post requests department consider the Turkish view when considering possible changes to the current policy regarding fingerscanning of diplomatic passport holders regardless of visas category. EDELMAN