Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS400
2005-01-21 16:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
CODEL Sensenbrenner
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000400
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/EX, CA/VO, CA/PPT, EUR/WE, CA/FPP, TSAX
ROME FOR DHS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP CMGT CVIS CPAS KFRD AMGT AORC FR
SUBJECT: CODEL Sensenbrenner
REF: (A) State 003694, other
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000400
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/EX, CA/VO, CA/PPT, EUR/WE, CA/FPP, TSAX
ROME FOR DHS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP CMGT CVIS CPAS KFRD AMGT AORC FR
SUBJECT: CODEL Sensenbrenner
REF: (A) State 003694, other
1. SUMMARY: Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Mrs.
Sensenbrenner and Chief of Staff Phil Kiko visited France
from January 9 to 17 to conduct a review of French actions
to enhance the security of their passports, cooperate with
the U.S. in combating terrorism and secure their borders and
shipping against those who would perpetrate acts of
terrorism. The visit included a number of opportunities for
open exchanges with senior officials at the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and the Interior. In addition the group
visited the ports at Le Havre and Strasbourg, and held very
informative meetings regarding biometric passports, with
both the Belgian Embassy and a private French contractor,
Thales. The visit concluded Monday, January 17, 2005 with a
comprehensive tour of the security operations at Charles de
Gaulle Airport. End summary.
2. The stated objectives for the visit included discussions
regarding three key areas: Franco-American cooperation in
the fight against terrorism, protection of US borders
overseas, and biometric documentation. At each meeting
Chairman Sensenbrenner shared his positive opinion of French
cooperation on all judicial and law enforcement levels. He
remained firm in his demands that the French government
needs to comply with the requirement for biometric
passports. The border controls at the port of Le Havre and
at the airport appeared to meet his approval; the inland
port at Strasbourg did not appear to him to be at the same
standard, although he was in general positive about Franco-
German border cooperation.
3. Chairman Sensenbrenner has a comprehensive knowledge of
all the legislation concerning these areas, and was able to
answer the questions posed to him by various parties, based
on his authorship of both the USA PATRIOT Act (H.R.
3162)Patriot Act and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa
Entry Reform Act (H.R. 3525)Visas and Borders Bill of 2003.
This latter bill requires the implementation of biometric
passports for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (both
France and Belgium are a part) prior to October 24, 2005.
The Belgium Director General of Consular Affairs, Mr. Rudi
Veestraeten, who traveled to Paris just to meet with the
visitors, demonstrated their new biometric passport to great
approval, . France repeatedly stated that because of
technical requirements and delays in the development of
Schengen Group standards, they would be unable to meet the
deadline.
4. Although the Chairman agreed that the USG is currently
behind schedule, there are no biometric passport readers at
ports of entry, and that a postponement of the next deadline
is possible, he hardened his position somewhat when the
outside contractor, Thales, indicated that the French have
not yet requested bids on their biometric passports. This
change in the Congressman's attitude came after he learned
that Belgium is not only ahead of the deadline by almost a
year, but is purchasing their biometric passports from a
French company. Chairman Sensenbrenner repeatedly stated
that he believes that deadlines motivate people. He was
equally consistent in asserting that the Department of State
was slow to inform the VWP countries of the requirements to
have the biometric passport to remain eligible for the VWP.
5. At the Port of Le Havre Chairman Sensenbrenner was given
a thorough tour, and had an opportunity to see the Container
Security Initiative (CSI) program in operation. That
program, and the French operation of the port, satisfied
many of his concerns regarding US border security with
respect to cargo shipments.
6. During his visit to Paris there were two incidents
reported of passengers traveling to the US who were on the
No-Fly list. He asked numerous questions about this,
followed the progress of each case, and was able to witness
the successful operation of the system.
7. COMMENT: After an absence from France of many years,
Chairman Sensenbrenner will be back for his third visit in
three months. His stated objective is to keep pressure on
the French to meet the biometric passport deadline required
in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
(H.R. 3525)Visa and Border Act. He plans to communicate his
concern about French inaction directly to their Ambassador
in Washington. It is probable that he will also express his
disappointment with the Department of State for its
inability to more quickly deploy our own biometric
passports. He repeatedly expressed his opinion that the
efforts of the Department of State to inform the VWP
countries about the provisions of the Borders and Visa bill
were inadequate and tardy. End comment.
Wolff
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/EX, CA/VO, CA/PPT, EUR/WE, CA/FPP, TSAX
ROME FOR DHS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP CMGT CVIS CPAS KFRD AMGT AORC FR
SUBJECT: CODEL Sensenbrenner
REF: (A) State 003694, other
1. SUMMARY: Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Mrs.
Sensenbrenner and Chief of Staff Phil Kiko visited France
from January 9 to 17 to conduct a review of French actions
to enhance the security of their passports, cooperate with
the U.S. in combating terrorism and secure their borders and
shipping against those who would perpetrate acts of
terrorism. The visit included a number of opportunities for
open exchanges with senior officials at the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and the Interior. In addition the group
visited the ports at Le Havre and Strasbourg, and held very
informative meetings regarding biometric passports, with
both the Belgian Embassy and a private French contractor,
Thales. The visit concluded Monday, January 17, 2005 with a
comprehensive tour of the security operations at Charles de
Gaulle Airport. End summary.
2. The stated objectives for the visit included discussions
regarding three key areas: Franco-American cooperation in
the fight against terrorism, protection of US borders
overseas, and biometric documentation. At each meeting
Chairman Sensenbrenner shared his positive opinion of French
cooperation on all judicial and law enforcement levels. He
remained firm in his demands that the French government
needs to comply with the requirement for biometric
passports. The border controls at the port of Le Havre and
at the airport appeared to meet his approval; the inland
port at Strasbourg did not appear to him to be at the same
standard, although he was in general positive about Franco-
German border cooperation.
3. Chairman Sensenbrenner has a comprehensive knowledge of
all the legislation concerning these areas, and was able to
answer the questions posed to him by various parties, based
on his authorship of both the USA PATRIOT Act (H.R.
3162)Patriot Act and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa
Entry Reform Act (H.R. 3525)Visas and Borders Bill of 2003.
This latter bill requires the implementation of biometric
passports for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (both
France and Belgium are a part) prior to October 24, 2005.
The Belgium Director General of Consular Affairs, Mr. Rudi
Veestraeten, who traveled to Paris just to meet with the
visitors, demonstrated their new biometric passport to great
approval, . France repeatedly stated that because of
technical requirements and delays in the development of
Schengen Group standards, they would be unable to meet the
deadline.
4. Although the Chairman agreed that the USG is currently
behind schedule, there are no biometric passport readers at
ports of entry, and that a postponement of the next deadline
is possible, he hardened his position somewhat when the
outside contractor, Thales, indicated that the French have
not yet requested bids on their biometric passports. This
change in the Congressman's attitude came after he learned
that Belgium is not only ahead of the deadline by almost a
year, but is purchasing their biometric passports from a
French company. Chairman Sensenbrenner repeatedly stated
that he believes that deadlines motivate people. He was
equally consistent in asserting that the Department of State
was slow to inform the VWP countries of the requirements to
have the biometric passport to remain eligible for the VWP.
5. At the Port of Le Havre Chairman Sensenbrenner was given
a thorough tour, and had an opportunity to see the Container
Security Initiative (CSI) program in operation. That
program, and the French operation of the port, satisfied
many of his concerns regarding US border security with
respect to cargo shipments.
6. During his visit to Paris there were two incidents
reported of passengers traveling to the US who were on the
No-Fly list. He asked numerous questions about this,
followed the progress of each case, and was able to witness
the successful operation of the system.
7. COMMENT: After an absence from France of many years,
Chairman Sensenbrenner will be back for his third visit in
three months. His stated objective is to keep pressure on
the French to meet the biometric passport deadline required
in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
(H.R. 3525)Visa and Border Act. He plans to communicate his
concern about French inaction directly to their Ambassador
in Washington. It is probable that he will also express his
disappointment with the Department of State for its
inability to more quickly deploy our own biometric
passports. He repeatedly expressed his opinion that the
efforts of the Department of State to inform the VWP
countries about the provisions of the Borders and Visa bill
were inadequate and tardy. End comment.
Wolff