Subject: RE: U.S. Consular Officials' Behavior
From: buldiosk (buldiosk@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)
Date: Thu Oct 28 1999 - 17:53:13 EDT
Dear Colleagues,
Speaking about problems with embassies I can open a whole file. My name is
Goran Buldioski and I come from Republic of Macedonia. Being a frequent
business traveler (as I work as trainer and consultant for Management
issues in Development Agencies and NGOs) forces me to obtain visas for all
Western European countries (either members of a Schengen Treaty or not) or
USA. Since I work with appreciated partners (among which Council of
Europe, USAID, and similar) I have always presented complete and
appropriate documentation in front of the Embassy officials. Nevertheless
till now I have had problems with the German Embassy in Skopje, United
Kingdom in Belgrade and the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje.
Just as an illustration I will point out the case with the Embassy of the
United Kingdom in Belgrade when despite the fact that I had sent all the
documents via authorized travel agency, I was asked to go on an
informative conversation personally in the Embassy (that means to travel
450 km one way) and to bring the passports of my parents and my brother
(the closest relatives in order to prove that they are in country or that
they haven't made any offence in UK). Taking other passports(not my own)
outside the country is an illegal thing in Macedonia.
That was the most humiliating thing I was ever asked for. I did not take
the passports of my relatives since I did not want to enter in a risk to
be caught by Macedonian Officials at the Macedonian - Yugoslav Border.
Still I was forced to go to Belgrade, spending 1,5 day, having 3 minute
informative conversation, and finally receiving the visa.
This is the severest example that I have face in my "misery" waiting in front
of different embassies. But not the only one. That is a strong reason for me
to support any kind of action for improving the quality of the service and the
attitude of the Embassy Officials towards the applicants, regardless their
country of origin.
My point is not only from a technical aspect, but also from a development
aspect. If the Western countries want to help the Eastern and less
developed countries they should start treating them more and more as
partners. The first thing to do that is showing how the things (including
the administrative) can be done in a civilize and democratic manner.
My best regards to everybody.
Goran Buldioski
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