NationMaster - Encyclopedia: German Visa Affair 2005

The visa affair is the name given by German newspapers to the controversy which arose in early 2005 over the issuing of visas to tourists entering Germany. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Joschka fischer from wiki. ... Joschka fischer from wiki. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Visa or VISA has several meanings: Visa (document) -- a document required to enter a specific country. ...

The visas were issued in Ukraine and Belarus in 2000. According to allegations made by Roland Koch and Volker Bouffier, CDU politicians in the Hessian Landtag, who in turn were drawing on testimony solicited by the CDU in the Bundestag inquiry committee, they were issued mainly to about 300,000 Ukrainians apparently intending to visit Cologne cathedral. The German opposition alleged that criminal gangs had paid Germans to act as references for the tourists, who would then, instead of visiting the cathedral, work in the sex trade or take up illegal work, and media supportive of them (such as the Springer-Verlag publishing house) published these allegations without mentioning their disputed nature. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Roland Koch (born March 24, 1958 in Frankfurt am Main) is a German politician. ... This article needs cleanup. ... A less French form to anglicize the German word Hessen; while one hears of Hessian troops fighting as mercenaries on the side of George III in the American Revolution, and of the Hessian fly that came along on their boats, French dominance in the world of 19th century diplomacy made... In Germany, Austria and South Tyrol, a Landtag is a unicameral legislature for a federal land. ... The Bundestag (Federal Diet) is the parliament of Germany. ... Cologne skyline at night. ... The Springer-Verlag (pronounced SHPRING er FAIR lahk) was a worldwide publishing company base in Germany. ...

The idea that the visa policy really led to a rise in criminality or illegal human trafficking is not supported by statistics. One effect of the media treatment of these issues has been a drop in the popularity of both Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister responsible for granting visas, and of the Green party, to which Fischer belongs. Trafficking in human beings (or human trafficking) involves the movement of people (mostly women and children) against their will by means of force for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation. ... Joschka Fischer Joseph Martin Joschka Fischer (born April 12, 1948 near Crailsheim) has been the German foreign minister and deputy chancellor in the red-green coalition since 1998. ... The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the member of the Cabinet of Germany in charge of the Foreign Office. ... Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (literally: Alliance 90/The Greens), the German Green Party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ...

Background

1999/2000

In 1999 the German embassy in Kiev, Ukraine alone issued more than 150,000 visas for Germany. Long queues formed in front of the embassy. Applicants reported that Ukrainian security personnel demanded DM 100 to 500 (€50 - 250) from applicants to get ahead in the queue. 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Motto: Oblast Municipality Municipal government City council (ÐšÐ¸Ñ—Ð²ÑÑŒÐºÐ° ÐœÑ–ÑÑŒÐºÐ° Ñ€Ð°Ð´Ð°) Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko Area 800 kmÂ² Population - city - urban - density 2,642,486 100% 3,299/kmÂ² Founded City rights around 5th century 1487 Latitude Longitude 50Â°27â€² N 30Â°30â€² E Area code +380 44 Car plates ? Twin towns Athenes, Brussels, Budapest...

At the beginning of 2000, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ludger Volmer, issued a decree (known as "Volmer's Decree"), which extended the powers of the individual embassies in deciding about visa applications. The decree aimed at making travel to Germany easier. When in doubt, the application was to be decided in favour of the applicant. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Minister of State is a title borne by officials in certain countries governed under the parliamentary system. ...

At the same time, visa applications directly at travel agencies were introduced. This regulation was opposed by the Federal Bundesgrenzschutz (Border Guard) as well as by the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Crime Agency), because they feared that it would also lead to easier migration into Germany for criminals. They cited a criminal court decision against the manager of a travel agency who organized illegal migration into Germany. The "tourists" went underground, became prostitutes or left Germany for other countries of the European Union. Bundesgrenzschutz or BGS for short, is the Federal Border Service or Guard of Germany. ... Prostitution is the sale of sexual services, such as oral sex or sexual intercourse, for money. ...

In March 9, 2000, the Minister of the Interior, Otto Schily (SPD) wrote a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joschka Fischer, saying that he saw the "Volmer's Decree" as a violation of the Aliens Act as well as of the Schengen Treaty. As of 2005, it is not clear if Schily intervened further, or if not, why not. March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... The Minister of the Interior is the member of the Cabinet of Germany in charge of the Ministry of the Interior. ... The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD – Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands) is the second oldest political party of Germany still in existence and also one of the oldest and largest in the world, celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2003. ... Joschka Fischer Joseph Martin Joschka Fischer (born April 12, 1948 near Crailsheim) has been the German foreign minister and deputy chancellor in the red-green coalition since 1998. ... Blue: Schengen treaty members Grey: Signatories (not yet implemented) The Schengen treaty is an agreement originally signed on June 14, 1985, by five European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

2001 - 2004

On May 2, 2001 embassies worldwide were advised to accept the Carnet de Touriste travel insurance introduced by Helmut Kohl's CDU in 1995. These insurance documents covered medical costs incurred abroad as well as any costs resulting from deportation. They were accepted in place of a written guarantee by a German citizen to prove that the visa applicant could finance his stay and his return home. May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dr. Helmut Kohl (full name Helmut Josef Michael Kohl) (born April 3, 1930) is a German conservative politician and statesman. ... The Christian Democratic Union (CDU - Christlich-Demokratische Union) is a political party in Germany, founded after World War II by Konrad Adenauer, among others. ... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Deportation is the expelling of someone from a country. ...

The German Automobile Club (ADAC) sold between 120,000 and 150,000 of these insurance documents, the Allianz insurance company sold more than 35,000, and the ITREC GmbH company more than 31,000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advised the embassies to accept similar travel insurance documents from the Reiseschutz AG, owned by private entrepreneur Kübler. The press claims this played an important role in the smuggling of people into Germany. The Ministry of the Interior was informed about this by the Federal Crime Agency (Bundeskriminalamt). Allianz Group, with $128 billion of revenue during 2003, is Germanys largest, and one of the worlds largest financial services providers with a focus on the insurance business. ...

In a trial against Anatoli Barg, the Cologne criminal court claimed that the "Volmer's Decree", the acceptance of travel insurance documents instead of guarantors or proof of credit-worthiness and the applications for visas at travel agencies had led to mass human trafficking. In the verdict, this was called "a cold putsch against the law". Cologne skyline at night. ...

In July, 2001, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prevented applications for visas at travel agencies from October 1, 2001. Instead of going to a travel agency, once more every applicant had to go to the visa department in an embassy. However, it was assumed that a travel insurance document sufficed as proof of the applicant's credit-worthiness.

From January 29, 2002 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decreed that it was possible to buy and sell travel insurance documents directly in foreign countries. It is said in the press that this increased the problems in Kiev and that traders sold travel insurance documents for as much as $1,000. January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On February 8, 2002 the German ambassador in Kiev reported that the embassy was flooded with applicants proving their credit-worthiness with travel insurance documents. February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

From April, 2003, travel insurance documents were not accepted any longer. On October 28, 2004, the "Volmer's Decree" was revised. Once more, applicants' credit-worthiness had to be examined. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

2005

On January 20, 2005 the first meeting of the Commission of Inquiry was held in the German Bundestag. This commission -- a kind of judicial hearing -- was set up with the votes of the opposition parties CDU and CSU. The CDU was represented by Eckart von Klaeden. It is assumed that Joschka Fischer will have to make a statement before the commission; the exact time is still in discussion. January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... ...

On February 12, 2005 Ludger Volmer retired as the Speaker for Foreign Affairs of the Green faction in the Bundestag, after the media criticized his work as a consultant for the company Synthesis GmbH, which worked for the Bundesdruckerei, producing identity cards, banknotes and other secure documents. February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (literally: Alliance 90/The Greens), the German Green Party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ...

For the first time in over six years, in February, 2005 opinion polls did not show Joschka Fischer in the first place in the popularity vote. Instead, the leading position in the popularity vote went to the Christian Democratic Ministerpräsident (Premier) of Lower Saxony, Christian Wulff, with Fischer coming in second. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU - Christlich-Demokratische Union) is a political party in Germany, founded after World War II by Konrad Adenauer, among others. ... With an area of 47,618 km and nearly eight million inhabitants, Lower Saxony (German Niedersachsen) lies in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the countrys sixteen Bundesl nder (federal states). ... Christian Wulff (born June 19, 1959 in Osnabrück) is a German politician (CDU) and Ministerpräsident (Premier) of Lower Saxony since March 4, 2003. ...

On March 22, 2005 the media reported that the federal chancellery had been informed about a dispute between Otto Schily and Joschka Fischer about visa politics as early as March, 2000. It was said that Chancellor Gerhard Schröder himself was not informed. March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in Leap years). ... This article discusses the Social Democratic German Chancellor Gerhard SchrÃ¶der. ...

On March 26, 2005 Eckart von Klaeden called for Joschka Fischer to tell the truth before the elections in North Rhine-Westphalia. The CDU/CSU tried to force a statement by Fischer. If that works, a statement by Fischer is to be expected in mid-April to mid-May. March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... North Rhine-Westphalia (German: Nordrhein-Westfalen) is the largest in population (though only fourth in area) among Germanys 16 federal states. ...

On March 31 2005 the media reported that Fischer would speak before the Inquiry Commission in mid-April, earlier than previously expected. The testimony of SPD minister of the interior Otto Schily is currently scheduled for June. March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (91st in Leap years), with 275 days remaining, as the final day of March. ... The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD – Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands) is the second oldest political party of Germany still in existence and also one of the oldest and largest in the world, celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2003. ...

In April 2005 the media reported that there were difficulties in 2004. Fischer claimed the difficulties were resolved in mid-2004. Eckart von Klaeden said on the main German television channel ZDF that the Commission of Inquiry wanted to investigate the differing statement of Mr. Fischer in March 2005. At April 21, the Commission of Inquiry heard Ludger Volmer and his predecessor, Günther Pleuger. This Commission of Inquiry hearing (duration: more than 12 hours) was the first such hearing broadcasted by television (and was watched by more than 400,000 people). The second such hearing was the April 25th hearing of Joschka Fischer in the Commission of Inquiry (duration: 14 hours, viewed by 700,000 viewers alone at the "Phoenix" TV network, a 10,5 % quota). Fischer said that he is political responsible, that many details cannot be remembered by him, and that he would have acted earlier if he would have been informed earlier. He also told about new monitoring mechanisms implemented in the Auswärtiges Amt. After the hearing, members of the CDU/CSU continued to ask for Fischers retirement, whereas members of SPD and The Greens said that Fischer performed well and that the CDU/CSU members in the commission were not able to show evidence for their accusations. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF), loosely translated to Second German Television Service, is a public service German language television network based in Mainz. ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... This article needs cleanup. ... The acronym CSU, when used by itself, can refer to: The California State University system Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. The Connecticut State University System Channel Service Unit - a WAN equivalent of a network interface card a Crime Scene Unit - a group of crime scene investigators who respond... The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD – Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands) is the second oldest political party of Germany still in existence and also one of the oldest and largest in the world, celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2003. ... Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (literally: Alliance 90/The Greens), the German Green Party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ...

May 2005: The German ambassador to Ukraine said the visa policies of Fischer were lax and eased the application of visas. He also said that the Volmer Decree unmotivated the employees at the embassy.

June 2, 2005: The Commission of Inquiry was adjourned today after a short session of only 30 minutes. The commission called an end to the hearing of evidence with the majority of its SPD/The Greens members. CDU and FDP on the other hand are likely to appeal to the Constitutional Court should this matter be dropped permanently. Some ministers, who were due to appear before the commission (e.g. Otto Schily was summoned for 8 July; or others like Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Chancellory), will not be questioned according to today's events. Apparently, the work of the commission is cut short by the widely anticipated call for a General Election in late summer (most probably on 18 September 2005). 2 June is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... The Federal Constitutional Court (in German: Bundesverfassungsgericht, BVerfG) is a special court established by the German Constitution, the Grundgesetz (Basic Law). ...

June 15, 2005: In a provisional ruling today, the Constitutional Court considered the end of the hearings of evidence, as mentioned above on June 2, as unconstitutional and ordered the Commission of Inquiry to continue with its timetable as planned as long as the Federal Diet isn't dissolved due to the expected call for a snap election later this summer. This would mean the cancelled hearings of ministers like Mr. Schily (Minister of the Interior) and Mr. Steinmeier (Minister of State of the Federal Chancellory) will most likely take place after all. June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... The Federal Constitutional Court (in German: Bundesverfassungsgericht, BVerfG) is a special court established by the German Constitution, the Grundgesetz (Basic Law). ...

Contents

Background

1999/2000

2001 - 2004

2005

See also

External links

Contents

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1999/2000

2001 - 2004

2005

See also

External links

Background