Parliament uses warm relationship with U.S. to request waving of visa fees

The Sejm has passed a resolution calling on the U.S. to annul the necessity of an entrance visas for Polish citizens. At present, Poles pay over $100 for the visa and administrative costs, but the American embassy overvalues the exchange rates and this sum is rather closer to EUR 100. Senate Speaker Longin Pastusiak told Polskie Radio that American policy in this matter is rather unclear and is in conflict with American regulations. He also wished that despite the uneasy international climate with the threat of terrorism, the U.S. would decide on concessions in Warsaw. This view is not shared by the American embassy here. Its representatives announced that visa liberalization is not possible while every third Pole visiting the country extends their stay and works illegally. However, the American officials said that they would be willing to annul visa fees if this number dropped under 3%. (www.polskieradio.pl) M.M.