US embassy cable - 04ANKARA944

UNCLAS ANKARA 000944 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
CA/OCS/ACS 
 
 
E.O. 12356: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RELATED TO FINGERSCANNING MEMBERS OF 
PARLIAMENT 
 
 
1.    On January 29, 2004, at the request of Haluk Aca, Head 
of the Visa Department at the MFA, Chief of Section reviewed 
US   fingerscanning  requirements  at  the  time   of   visa 
application and upon entry into the United States. 
 
 
2.   Mr. Aca explained that the MFA had received complaints 
from members of parliament required to be fingerprinted when 
applying for a tourist visa.  The issue was raised directly 
with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Mr. Aca requested 
that members of Parliament traveling on diplomatic passports 
in a non-official capacity be exempt from the fingerscanning 
process when applying for a visa. 
 
 
3.   Consul explained current U.S. procedures and laws 
related to fingerscanning and the U.S. Visit program.  Mr. 
Aca also raised the possibility of Turkey being part of the 
Visa Waiver Program.  Consul also explained in very general 
terms the requirements for inclusion and clarified that 
Turkey was not qualified to participate at this time. 
 
 
4.   Post requests department consider the Turkish view when 
considering possible changes to the current policy regarding 
fingerscanning of diplomatic passport holders regardless of 
visas category. 
 
 
 
 
EDELMAN