Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08TOKYO1711, VISA WAIVER PROGRAM: ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08TOKYO1711.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO1711 2008-06-22 22:53 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO0545
RR RUEHAT RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHLA RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1711/01 1742253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 222253Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5296
RHEFDHS/DIA DHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHAT/AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM 0018
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2235
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6764
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0884
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8506
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9091
RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 0097
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0660
RUEHAT/AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM 0019
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 0013
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 2269
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2678
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0553
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0137
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6168
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 0304
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 2128
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 1194
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0243
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7181
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 1817
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2097
RUEHBD/AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 0923
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0533
RUEHLE/AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG 0114
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1033
RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 0503
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 001711 
 
SIPDIS 
Sensitive 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR CA for CA/VO/F/P:JBrennan for CA/P Steve Royster AND 
FOR EAP/J Marc Jackson and Ted Bryan 
 
DHS for Office of International Affairs, ICE Office of International 
Affairs and CBP Office of International Affairs 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS CMGT PREL PGOV EUN JA
SUBJECT: VISA WAIVER PROGRAM:  ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL 
AUTHORIZATION (ESTA) ANNOUNCEMENT AND OUTREACH IN JAPAN 
 
This cable is sensitive but unclassified, not for internet 
distribution. 
 
1. SUMMARY: This is an ACTION CABLE, please see PARA 4.  On June 3, 
DHS Secretary Chertoff introduced the ESTA program.  Since then, 
post has conducted numerous outreach activities to inform the 
Japanese Government and public of this initiative.  This cable also 
contains information on future outreach plans.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (SBU) Embassy consular and DHS representatives met with Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Director General for Consular Affairs 
Tanizaki on June 2 to pre-brief him on the launch of ESTA.  Tanizaki 
said he generally knew ESTA was coming, but was surprised at the 
imminent launch date.  He expected Japanese travelers would accept 
ESTA, but indicated MOFA's Treaty Bureau would look into the 
question of whether ESTA effectively spelled the end of the Visa 
Waiver Program (VWP).  Embassy representatives emphasized to 
Tanizaki that this was not the case and the electronically requested 
information would be the same as what travelers now provide on the 
I-94W arrival/departure form. 
 
3. (SBU) Embassy consular and DHS representatives delivered the same 
message on June 4 to MOFA Consular Affairs Bureau, Foreign National 
Affairs Division Director Kazuyoshi Matsunaga.  He asked if there 
would be an exchange of diplomatic notes as there was at the 
inception of the Visa Waiver Pilot Program in 1988.  We replied we 
did not believe a dip note would be necessary as ESTA does not 
fundamentally change the VWP.  He then inquired about the EU's 
reaction to ESTA and if ESTA could be accessed/data entered from a 
cell phone.  Finally, he asked if the 72 hour before boarding ESTA 
registration deadline precluded last minute requests or emergency 
travel.  We said we believed ESTA allowed for last minute requests 
and we were not sure if data entry could be done through a cell 
phone, but that we would raise these questions with the Department. 
 
4. (SBU) Action request: Post requests Department provides answers 
we can share to MOFA's questions on the EU reaction to ESTA and if 
ESTA could be accessed/processed via a cell phone. 
 
5. (SBU) DHS and Consular representatives also delivered the ESTA 
message on June 4 to Mr. Kazuhiko Kanazashi, International Tourism 
Division, Policy Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport 
and Tourism (MLIT).  MLIT had many of the same questions as posed in 
the other meetings.  Their main concern is how the information would 
get to the airports and airlines.  The DHS representative informed 
that in addition to the support provided to the carriers through the 
Carrier Liaison Program, the IAP team at Narita would be conducting 
briefings on ESTA.  The consular representative added that the 
embassy and consulates would be contacting airport officials in 
their respective locations. 
 
6.  Post's efforts to inform the general public include many 
outreach standards such as sending the press release information to 
the American Chamber of Commerce, Keidanren, JETRO, APEC, and the 
Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA), sending diplomatic 
notes containing ESTA information to VWP embassies, putting links to 
the information on the Mission Japan website, and sending the 
information to Military Liaison contacts and through our newsletters 
to American residents in Japan.  Beyond this we are in contact with 
Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, United, Continental and 
Northwest to place a news article in their in-flight magazines.  We 
are handing out the DHS press release, which we have translated into 
Japanese to visa applicants and we will be holding a briefing with 
interested embassy officers so they can answer contacts' questions. 
 
7.  June 5, the Consul General and DHS Attache held a press 
conference to brief the press on the salient points of ESTA. 
Consulates in Japan participated through DVC.  The following papers 
and TV stations were represented at the event:  Yomiuri Shimbun, 
Asaha Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei Shimbun, 
Tokyo Shimbun, Fukuoka Nishi Nippon news, Kyodo news, Jiji press, 
NHK, TV-Asahi, Fuji-TV, TV-Tokyo, TBS, Fukuoka-Asahi Television, 
Travel Vision, and Stars and Stripes.  The CG and DHS Attache 
emphasized ESTA is not a visa; it will be good for multiple visits 
over two years; it is free of charge; it allows for applications by 
third parties; it will be required of every passenger regardless of 
age; questions will be provided in multiple languages by Oct 15. 
They explained that the overwhelming number of applicants will 
receive ESTA approval.  The following questions were asked by the 
attendees at the press event: 
 
--  Will you use the same criteria currently used to authorize entry 
into the U.S. under ESTA? 
--  How does the traveler carry the information regarding ESTA 
approval?  Is it stamped into the passport? 
--  How will you maintain the data, and what measures will you 
employ to make sure no outsiders will use the information? 
--  Could you please explain the 72 hour rule? 
--  How is the traveler notified of the approval? 
--  What are the similarities to the Australian model. 
--  Will travelers be unable to board a plane without ESTA as of 
January 12? 
--  Will you work with the carriers to have a system in place so 
that the carrier can check ESTA at check in? 
--  With the Australian system, the airline can ask for 
authorization at check in.  Will yours be the same? 
--  Can an I-94 be used instead of ESTA? 
--  You said ESTA is valid for 2 years, but if you forget you have 
it, what happens if you apply again? 
--  What kind of effect will ESTA have on travelers from Japan? 
--  You said a travel agent could apply.  Isn't it a problem for the 
travel agents to have personal information of the traveler? 
--  I don't have a plan to go to the U.S., but could I try ESTA 
anyway? 
--  If I got ESTA approval but put in the wrong name and DOB and I 
get to the POE and the inspector sees that the info doesn't match 
the info in my passport, will my inspection take longer?  Will I be 
taken to secondary? 
--  The DHS fact sheet talked about information sharing, including 
with foreign governments.  Do you envision any possible problems? 
--  Are you planning to charge for ESTA? 
 
The press briefing resulted in positive, factual reporting. 
 
8.  (SBU) Comment:  The embassy will continue to aggressively reach 
out throughout Japan to all stakeholders to minimize the amount of 
erroneous information on ESTA. In some instances, we envision 
briefing some of the same parties to answer the many questions that 
are likely to evolve as January 12 looms closer and closer. We will 
continue to keep Washington apprised of developments through front 
channel cables. 
 
SCHIEFFER