Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TALLINN109
2008-03-14 12:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
DHS SECRETARY CHERTOFF AND ESTONIAN INTERIOR
how-toVZCZCXRO5191 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTL #0109 0741224 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141224Z MAR 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0557 RHMFISS/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0020 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000109
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2028
TAGS: CVIS EU KFRD PREL EN
SUBJECT: DHS SECRETARY CHERTOFF AND ESTONIAN INTERIOR
MINISTER SIGN VISA WAIVER MOU
REF: 07 TALLINN 064
Classified By: CONS Rodger Deuerlein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000109
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2028
TAGS: CVIS EU KFRD PREL EN
SUBJECT: DHS SECRETARY CHERTOFF AND ESTONIAN INTERIOR
MINISTER SIGN VISA WAIVER MOU
REF: 07 TALLINN 064
Classified By: CONS Rodger Deuerlein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (U) DHS Secretary Chertoff and Estonian Minister of
Interior Juri Pihl signed a bilateral MOU on the Visa Waiver
Program in Tallinn on March 12.
2. (C) In a meeting prior to the public signing ceremony,
Pihl said Estonia welcomed the progress on VWP and the
opportunity to sign the MOU, which was a large step forward
for Estonia and for the Estonia-U.S. relationship. Pihl
went on to say, however, that he hoped that the USG and the
EU would take up negotiations on VWP and reach agreement on
outstanding issues. Secretary Chertoff replied that U.S.
law requires the USG to negotiate VWP on a bilateral basis,
but that these MOUs take into consideration EU competencies.
He added also that he hoped the EU would not put itself
between candidate countries and VWP membership, which could
add years to the accession process. He noted he was due to
meet EU officials later in his European trip and would
discuss VWP and the MOU process with them.
3. (C) Delegation member DHS Assistant Secretary Stewart
Baker said much of the debate between the US and EU on VWP
revolves around data protection. He noted the USG is seeking
to negotiate a high-level agreement with the EU on data
protection and data sharing, with hopes to conclude by June.
A/S Baker asked Estonia to support these discussions within
the EU. Minister Pihl responded that at the last meeting of
EU Interior Ministers, opinion was split over the VWP
process, but there was clear consensus on the need for better
data-sharing arrangements with the United States.
4. (C) A/S Baker also asked for clarification on use of
GOE-issued "alien passports" by Estonian residents. Minister
Pihl confirmed that alien passports are now chip-equipped
e-documents, but quickly reaffirmed in that VWP only applies
to Estonian citizens. (Note: There are about 115,000
stateless residents in Estonia. They are long-term residents
of Estonia and the EU and have travel rights within the EU.
The GOE has consistently encouraged these resident to pursue
citizenship. VWP privileges for Estonian citizens would be
one more inducement for non-citizens here to seek
naturalization. End Note).
5. (U) At a press conference following the signing,
Secretary Chertoff reaffirmed Estonia could enter VWP as
SIPDIS
early as fall 2008, predicated upon a successful
DHS evaluation visit March 31 to April 4, negotiation of
implementing agreements, and DHS launch of the Electronic
Travel Authorization system. In response to questions, he
emphasized that the new VWP system will not be a two-tiered
system for "old" and "new" EU members, and he explained that
DHS hopes ETA will be free of charge, at least initially.
PHILLIPS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2028
TAGS: CVIS EU KFRD PREL EN
SUBJECT: DHS SECRETARY CHERTOFF AND ESTONIAN INTERIOR
MINISTER SIGN VISA WAIVER MOU
REF: 07 TALLINN 064
Classified By: CONS Rodger Deuerlein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (U) DHS Secretary Chertoff and Estonian Minister of
Interior Juri Pihl signed a bilateral MOU on the Visa Waiver
Program in Tallinn on March 12.
2. (C) In a meeting prior to the public signing ceremony,
Pihl said Estonia welcomed the progress on VWP and the
opportunity to sign the MOU, which was a large step forward
for Estonia and for the Estonia-U.S. relationship. Pihl
went on to say, however, that he hoped that the USG and the
EU would take up negotiations on VWP and reach agreement on
outstanding issues. Secretary Chertoff replied that U.S.
law requires the USG to negotiate VWP on a bilateral basis,
but that these MOUs take into consideration EU competencies.
He added also that he hoped the EU would not put itself
between candidate countries and VWP membership, which could
add years to the accession process. He noted he was due to
meet EU officials later in his European trip and would
discuss VWP and the MOU process with them.
3. (C) Delegation member DHS Assistant Secretary Stewart
Baker said much of the debate between the US and EU on VWP
revolves around data protection. He noted the USG is seeking
to negotiate a high-level agreement with the EU on data
protection and data sharing, with hopes to conclude by June.
A/S Baker asked Estonia to support these discussions within
the EU. Minister Pihl responded that at the last meeting of
EU Interior Ministers, opinion was split over the VWP
process, but there was clear consensus on the need for better
data-sharing arrangements with the United States.
4. (C) A/S Baker also asked for clarification on use of
GOE-issued "alien passports" by Estonian residents. Minister
Pihl confirmed that alien passports are now chip-equipped
e-documents, but quickly reaffirmed in that VWP only applies
to Estonian citizens. (Note: There are about 115,000
stateless residents in Estonia. They are long-term residents
of Estonia and the EU and have travel rights within the EU.
The GOE has consistently encouraged these resident to pursue
citizenship. VWP privileges for Estonian citizens would be
one more inducement for non-citizens here to seek
naturalization. End Note).
5. (U) At a press conference following the signing,
Secretary Chertoff reaffirmed Estonia could enter VWP as
SIPDIS
early as fall 2008, predicated upon a successful
DHS evaluation visit March 31 to April 4, negotiation of
implementing agreements, and DHS launch of the Electronic
Travel Authorization system. In response to questions, he
emphasized that the new VWP system will not be a two-tiered
system for "old" and "new" EU members, and he explained that
DHS hopes ETA will be free of charge, at least initially.
PHILLIPS