Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM474
2008-06-30 06:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

EMBASSY STOCKHOLM'S FEEDBACK ON ESTA

Tags:  CPAS CVIS CMGT PREL SW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6093
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSM #0474 1820614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300614Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3572
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0738
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0072
RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0007
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000474 

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO DHS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CPAS CVIS CMGT PREL SW
SUBJECT: EMBASSY STOCKHOLM'S FEEDBACK ON ESTA

REF: State 58479


UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000474

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO DHS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CPAS CVIS CMGT PREL SW
SUBJECT: EMBASSY STOCKHOLM'S FEEDBACK ON ESTA

REF: State 58479



1. SUMMARY: An initial review of ESTA among various offices at Post
raised several questions, including whether we can provide a
prototype of the ESTA website as part of our outreach efforts and
how ESTA will interface with the Class database and airline systems.
This cable also outlines Post's initial and future outreach plans.
End Summary.


2. QUESTIONS ON ESTA IMPLEMENTATION: Following DHS Secretary
Chertoff's June 3 press conference announcing ESTA, Post experienced
a sharp increase in questions about ESTA from local business
contacts, the general public, and the press. Interest quickly
waned, however, both due to the summer vacation season and
travelers' realization that the program is not mandatory until
January 2009. Post anticipates that questions on the ESTA program
will increase again around the program's launch in August and
mandatory implementation in January 2009.


3. In general, external questions about the ESTA program have
focused on when it will become mandatory, who is required to
register, and how applicants will be notified. Prospective travelers
are also confused about whether visa applicants must also register
through the ESTA program. An initial review of ESTA among various
offices at Post raised additional concerns and questions. Questions:


-- Can we provide a prototype of the ESTA website as part of our
outreach efforts?

-- Will the ESTA FAQ's provide information on why a traveler might
be denied travel authorization?

-- If incorrect information is entered on the ESTA application, will
applicants be penalized for misrepresentation?

-- How will airlines access the information or know if passengers
have ESTA approval?

-- Is it mandatory for travelers to continue to update new itinerary
information in ESTA after approval?

-- What happens if the ESTA site goes down?

-- What will prevent someone from maliciously entering negative data
for another traveler in an effort to generate a refusal?

-- When will ESTA replace the I-94W form?

-- How will consular officers access the ESTA outcome?

-- If the reason for an ESTA denial is not available to consular
officers, how will they assess the impact of the negative ESTA
decision on visa eligibility?


4. OUTREACH EFFORTS: As part of our outreach efforts, CONOFFS
briefed MFA Counselor at the Americas Desk Paula Wennerblom and MOJ
Deputy Director for Migration and Asylum Policy Kerstin Lindblad on
June 3 on the launch of ESTA. They responded positively to the
information and Post assured them we would provide additional
information to them and other relevant government officials when it
becomes available.


5. Post is also developing a coordinated outreach plan to target
key constituencies affected by ESTA and plans to use the August 1
launch date as an opportunity to host a series of roundtables, press
conferences, and public forums on the ESTA program. Some other
current and future efforts include:

-- educating embassy officers about ESTA so they can answer
questions from contacts;

-- linking information about ESTA on Post's external website;

-- holding seminars and meetings at the Embassy with key
stakeholders, including the American Chamber of Commerce, travel
industry representatives, local airline representatives, and other
private sector groups; and

-- disseminating information on ESTA through local radio station
programs and print media, including travel and business magazines.


WOOD