SWISS REFERENDUM APPROVES UNIVERSAL BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS

UNCLAS BERN 000220


STATE FOR CA/P/IP, CA/VO/L/C, CA/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS CMGT KPAO PBTS PREL SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REFERENDUM APPROVES UNIVERSAL BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS


1. By the narrowest of margins, Swiss voters May 17 approved the
country's transition next year to only biometric passports. With
1.9 million voters participating (38% of the eligible electorate,
according to Swiss papers),the "yes" vote (for only biometric
passports) garnered 50.14% (953,136 votes) to the "no" (against
biometric passports) 49.86% (947,632 votes) position. The
referendum actually failed in several cantons, including Basel,
Bern, Geneva, and Ticino. Zurich and Luzern voters approved the new
passport.


2. Switzerland plans to issue only biometric passports after
01MAR2010. E-passports will cost 140 CHF for adults (approximately
$130) and 60 CHF for minors (approximately $50). The new
e-passports ("Model 10") will be valid for ten years for adults or
three to five years (yet to be decided) for minors. The current
Swiss e-passports ("Model 06"),which are valid for five years, will
be issued for the last time in February 2010, and will expire in

2015. The last non-biometric Swiss passports ("Model 03") will also
still be issued through February 2010, and will expire in 2020.


3. Data privacy concerns drove opponents of universal e-passports.
A collateral issue not on the ballot, but affecting the debate, was
Swiss participation in a Schengen area-wide database. Concerns with
privacy, already rankled by the UBS affair and EU attacks on bank
privacy laws, also lay in the background.


4. The outcome removes the issue as a factor in Switzerland's
continuing eligibility for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Switzerland had been operating under a two-tier passport system,
where the holder decided whether he wanted a traditional or
e-passport. In addition to its questionable compliance with U.S.
statutory requirements that VWP member states issue biometric
passports, the two-tiered system also increased post's visa
workload. The higher priced biometric passports was an incentive
for Swiss to obtain a traditional passport and apply for a U.S.
visa, because the combined fees still cost less than the biometric
passport and the visa gave travelers the possibility of more than 90
day stays.


5. Post had also heard rumors that the European Union had told
Switzerland its continuing eligibility for membership in the
Schengen area would have been on the line if the referendum failed.
Switzerland only joined the Schengen area in 2008.


CARTER