How You Can Help the Czechs Gain Visa Waiver Status

09-19-2006 - 05:10 PM The American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFoCR) needs your help in explaining to Congress how the Czech Republic is one of its best allies. The Czech Republic shares the same values as the United States and consistently supports U.S. foreign policy priorities. It contributes to the war on terrorism in a variety of ways, including the deployment of troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, and through prevention and intelligence efforts. The Czech Republic treats the United States as a full partner offering all the privileges shared by democratic allies, while the United States applies a different set of standards to EU allies, thereby undervaluing small democracies.

Only the U.S. Congress has the authority to resolve this complicated issue. Although the two currently proposed legislative acts are a positive sign that some members of the U.S. Congress recognize the importance of including EU allies in the Visa Waiver Program, many members are not aware of the current double standard in U.S. foreign policy. Only with the support of Congress can real change occur. Please contact your state representatives to explain this discrepancy and relay to them that the Czech Republic’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program is of the utmost importance to you. Please ask your friends and family to do the same.