On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 17:45:35 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote in Message-Id:
. net:

Forged documents are apparently easy to come by
in Brazil.

The NYT article to which you kindly provided the URL below states:

"American officials said that Brazil is second only to Mexico in
what are known as "expedited removals" because of false
documentation or misrepresentation at U.S. ports of entry"

False documentation seems a good criterion to apply to requiring
fingerprinting and photographing of international visitors.

It would seem that Brazil's emotional response to the change in US
policy may negatively impact Brazil's Carnival revenues. Talk about,
"out of the frying pan ...."

Brazil may want to rethink their strategy, and consider instituting
anti passport forgery measures and scannable passports. A progressive
country would proffer reasonable solutions not direct confrontation,
IMO.

It is an unfortunate coincidence that our neighbors and allies in the
western hemisphere are going to be most affected by the new US policy
just when we need their support in international affairs. It would be
a magnanimously conciliatory gesture for the US to provide some
expertise to our neighbors in overcoming the technical issues, and it
might help mitigate the international perception of xenophobia. But
that would take a President who valued the support of his allies...

--

"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."
- George W. Bush

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
- George W Bush

"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
- Governor George W. Bush

"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have
a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe."
- Governor George W. Bush

"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."
- Governor George W. Bush

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the
impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
- Governor George W. Bush

"It's time for the human race to enter the solar system."
- Governor George W. Bush

"I'm the commander -- see, I don't need to explain -- I do not
need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing
about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me
why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an
explanation. "
~ George Bush Jr. as reported in the Washington Post