NEW ZEALAND: MEETING ON VISA WAIVER PROGRAM LETTER

UNCLAS AUCKLAND 000007 SIPDIS STATE FOR CA/VO, EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS CMGT PBTS PREL NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND: MEETING ON VISA WAIVER PROGRAM LETTER REF: A. A) STATE 2059 ¶B. B) FREY-DESROCHER EMAIL 23JAN2009 ¶1. (U) Wellington A/DCM and Auckland Consul General met January 27 with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials Catherine Nicol (Americas Division) and Lyndal Walker (Consular Division) to discuss the VWP letter from DHS A/S Baker. CG reviewed the points in ref A, explaining the legislative background to the new VWP requirements and our preference to address the requirements through the PCSC agreement or implementation of the 5CC protocol. He also noted in very general terms some of the New Zealand-specific points made in ref B. ¶2. (U) Nicol and Walker had no immediate response. They expressed appreciation for the background on the situation and promised to coordinate with other appropriate NZG agencies. They were very interested in more details on next steps, specifically when the next round of discussions on signing the PCSC agreement or implementing the 5CC protocol would take place. DESROCHER