DUTCH PREVIEW EU PRESIDENCY IMMIGRATION ISSUES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001183

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CPAS KHLS NL EUN
SUBJECT: DUTCH PREVIEW EU PRESIDENCY IMMIGRATION ISSUES



1. SUMMARY: ConGen, Embassy and USEU officials met recently
with the Justice Ministry to discuss immigration issues for
upcoming Dutch EU presidency. The Dutch invited USG to make
a presentation on biometrics and US-VISIT program at an EU
seminar on biometrics in The Hague July 1 and 2. The Dutch
stressed concern that the decision to enroll VWP travelers
in US-VISIT at the end of September would receive widespread
negative press attention and could generate calls for
retaliatory action. They also emphasized the focus of their
presidency would be implementation of existing agreements
rather than generation of new policy. Finally, they
indicated Justice/Immigration DG Visser hoped to visit the
U.S. soon (July 1 is suggested time). END SUMMARY.


2. At an April 15 meeting with Consul General, Global Issues
officers and USEU representative, Ministry of Justice
officials discussed preparations on immigration issues for
their EU presidency. A 10-person EU Presidency team, headed
by Reiner ter Kuile, Director of Immigration Policy, had
been formed to focus on these issues.


3. Mr. ter Kuile re-iterated an invitation to the U.S. to
make a presentation at an EU seminar on biometrics to be
held in The Hague July 1-2. They would like the speaker to
address: (1) latest information on the US-VISIT and VWP
programs; (2) American experience with facial recognition
and finger scanning, especially in connection with US-VISIT;
(3) likely future developments related to use of biometrics
in U.S. documents; (4) views on iris scanning and the uses
for which it might be appropriate; (5) preparations to
introduce biometric enrollment at our land borders; and (6)
prospects for standardization of U.S. drivers licenses,
birth certificates and similar key identification documents
issued by individual states. [Note: DHS Sec. Ridge told
Justice Minister Donner on March 31 he would send Jim
Williams, DHS Director of US-VISIT program, to participate
in the seminar.]


4. The Dutch stressed their concern that the decision to
enroll VWP travelers in US-VISIT in September would receive
widespread negative press attention and might generate calls
for retaliatory actions against US visitors. They warned
that the European press would probably be deliberately
provocative and inflammatory and the subject was ideally
suited to liven up an end-of-summer news lull. They feared
this could develop into an ugly confrontation with at least
some EU member countries and create an unwelcome distraction
during the fall. They urged the U.S. to develop an early
and effective public relations campaign to explain US-VISIT
procedures and address/defuse likely concerns about long
lines at U.S. POEs, invasion of privacy, being "treated like
criminals," etc. Justice Ministry Director General for
Immigration Rob Visser raised similar concerns in his
discussion with visiting EUR PDAS Charles Ries April 27.


5. While Ter Kuile and others stressed immigration and
security issues would be priority issues during their
presidency, they did not offer program specifics. They
spoke of three areas of concentration - providing a
strategic view on immigration issues (a post Tampere
framework); working on the visa information system and
biometrics; and trying to tie more development aid to good
migration policy in third countries. They emphasized the
Dutch intention to focus on implementing existing EU
agreements rather than launching new initiatives.


6. The Dutch Immigration Service has been trying to get DG
Visser to visit the U.S. for the past several months.
During his meeting with EUR PDAS Ries, Visser indicated he
hoped to get to Washington around July 1. When the Embassy
followed up with Visser's office on May 10, it was unable to
confirm a date. [Note: Visser will be the Justice
Ministry's senior point of contact for JHA issues during the
Dutch EU presidency. The Immigration Service would like him
to visit the U.S.-Canadian and -Mexican borders, in addition
to high-level Washington meetings. We will keep Washington
informed of Visser's travel plans.]


7. COMMENT: The invitation to participate in the July
biometrics seminar provides an excellent opportunity to
demonstrate our interest in accelerating EU progress in
developing and harmonizing Member States' biometrics
programs. It will be important to send appropriately senior
experts to help the Dutch launch this initiative. The Dutch
team was emphatic about the potential for "trouble" arising
from enrolling VWP country travelers in US-VISIT. They said
most EU Member State governments would understand the U.S.
action, but it could become a political issue, ala PNR,
complicating their presidency. They strongly urged the U.S.
to anticipate an adverse public reaction, develop a strategy
for responding to it and keep the Dutch informed to enable
them to minimize any problems. Finally, it is apparent the
Dutch do not plan to launch any new initiatives during their
presidency, but will work to move things along that are
already in the pipeline (like biometrics in travel documents
and measures to combat terrorism). According to USEU, this
will mirror the Irish approach. END COMMENT.

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