UNCLAS KIGALI 000613

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C, CA/VO/L/C, CA/VO/L/A, CA/VO/F/P, L/CA, AF/E, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS PREF RW
SUBJECT: SAO NOT NECESSARY FOR RWANDANS WISHING TO TRAVEL TO US

REF: A. 94 STATE 285528

B. 96 STATE 217393

C. 98 STATE 160376



1. SUMMARY. AmEmbassy Kigali and the government of Rwanda
concur in a recommendation to end the current requirement
in ref A that Embassies and Consulates submit SAO
clearances on all Rwandans born before 1981 who are
applying outside of Kigali for NIV's, IV's, refugee status
or other travel documents, regardless of the visa
classification requested. As an alternative to the SAO,
the Rwandan Prosecutor General has provided Post a list of
Rwandans who are wanted by the GOR for involvement in the
genocide. Post proposes that this list be loaded into the
Consular Consolidated Database (CCD). END SUMMARY.


2. The purpose of the current SAO process is to prevent
Rwandans wanted for genocide crimes from receiving visas to
enter the United States. However, the current SAO process
has led to extensive delays in the issuance of visas to
Rwandans living outside Rwanda. It has also meant
additional time-consuming work for Embassy Kigali, other US
Embassies and the GOR. The clearance process has impeded
last minute travel for important dignitaries, including, in
are recent example, the Rwandan Ambassador to Switzerland.
The elimination of the SAO requirement would improve
customer service for the end applicant and improve the
efficiency of the adjudication process for Rwandan
applicants. The Rwandan government has suggested the
removal of this requirement and post fully concurs.


3. Post and GOR concur that there is a viable alternative
to the current SAO process that would still meet the goal
of preventing Rwandans wanted for genocide crimes from
receiving permits to enter the US. The GOR has developed
and provided to Post a list of suspected genocidaires that
are living outside Rwanda. Loading these names directly
into the CCD would make them available to consular officers
in real time during interviews, eliminating the need for a
SAO clearance cable to be sent to Kigali. Post requests
Department concurrence to put this change into effect and
notify all posts of this new procedure.

ARIETTI