HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0277.001 1996-1998 MAY - 1 2- 9 7 M O N 1 4 3 6 P O 3
• MEMII!•
DANIEL K. AKAKA COMMITECE ON ENERGY AND
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M,s. Noelani Whittington
sxecur.ive Director
Kona Kohala Resort Association
69.2'75 waikoloa Beach Drive
Kamuela, HI 96"74:1
Dear M5. fidhi.t.tington:
1 am wcil.iny in rcaFu~nse i,O your late-ICr o1 March 2b, 199'/,
regarding efforts to establish a visa waiver pilot program for
South Korea.
I appreciate knowing of Your support. for. the expansion of
the visa waiver program to Korea. Aa you may know, I have been
working wir•h Senators Frank Murkowski and Ted Stevens from Alaska
<rnd Senator Dan lnouy<~ in an effort to easF; the visa burden on
Koreans r.rave].lin,I to the United Stares. r',ar].ier this; year, we
introduced S. 290, a bill to establish a vitia waiver pilot
~ program for nationals of Korea travcl]ing in tour gr.vups to the
united States. The b.i11 would allow visa•freca entry t.o Koreans
in tour groups for travel of 15 days or. lra5s in the U.S.
You may be interested to know that. the Department of State
recognizes the need to improve service and case t:he burden on
South Koreans who wish t.o visit our country. Ifowevcr., the
Department is concerned wiCh any proposal t.o permit visa•free
travel for Korean nationals because the refusal rates for Korea
remain significantly above the level. set by federal law for
nations included in the visa waiver pilot. program.
Again, mahalo for contacting me on this matter. I
appreciate your efforts vn behalf of S. 7.90. Rest assured of my
• continued support for initiatives that. promote Hawaii as a
business and vacation desr.inativn. As always, 7 look forward t:v
hearing from you on issues of concern.
Aloha purnehana,
DANTirL K. AKAKA
U.S. Senator
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