New entrance procedures to be applied to Russians arriving in US

The Russian Foreign Ministry does not dismiss the possibility that at acertain stage the new entrance procedures introduced in the US will applyto Russian citizens as well. As it is stated in the report issued by theRussian Foreign Ministry, in line with the law on measures aimed againstthe repetition of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2002, the USJustice Ministry is embarking on a program of fingerprinting and takingpictures of foreigners entering the US. In view of the fact that anyforeigner that is found suspicious by the employees of the US immigrationservice, may be subject to the specified procedure, the possibility shouldnot be ruled out that at a certain stage this program may also apply toRussian citizens, the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out. However,according to the data of the Foreign Ministry, in the short term this newprocedure will not be applied to Russian citizens, but largely cover thecitizens of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria and some other countries. The RussianForeign Ministry is planning to sustain contacts with US authorities onthis issue to clarify the situation and provide timely information forRussian citizens about its development..