AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD
ACA

http://www.aca.ch/

A nonprofit association dedicated to serving and defending the interests of individual US citizens living worldwide.

News from ACA -- mid-September 1999 -- Issue 64a

This is an archive, links may not work

Action Alert: Section 911 Risks Veto
Naturalization alert for State Dept. employees
State Dept. forecasts Y2k problems
ACA Overseas Volunteer Award
Book review: Travellers Survival Kit: India
Name best & worst diplomatic acts
Odds 'n Ends
Swiss News

Peruse the complete News Update Index

ACTION ALERT: Congress ok's Sec. 911 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

But on 15 August 1999 an Action Alert entitled "Washington Needs to Hear From You!" was issued to Friends of Section 911 Tax Exclusion by David Hamod, Executive Director of the Section 911 Coalition. In summary, the alert reads:

     In early August, Congress voted to increase the 
   Section 911 foreign earned income exclusion to 
   $95,000 by the year 2007. If this increase becomes law, 
   it would represent a major step forward 
   for Americans working abroad and US companies 
   operating in foreign markets. 
     In the weeks ahead, the White House is expected to 
   veto the $792 billion tax relief package passed by Congress 
   (H.R. 2488, the Financial Freedom Act of 1999). If the bill is 
   vetoed, Congressional Republicans, Congressional Democrats, 
   and representatives of the Clinton Administration will 
   try to negotiate a new tax cut package that is acceptable to 
   everyone. 
     If such negotiations take place, no one knows which 
   provisions of H.R. 2488 will survive and which ones will 
   be jettisoned. 

It is CRITICAL that Americans abroad weigh into this debate now in support of Section 911. Our message: No matter what a final tax cut package may look like, it is vital that it include the Section 911 provision passed by the House and Senate (part of H.R. 2488) on 5 August 1999. High-level discussions about the tax cut package are expected to continue well into September and perhaps October, so please "keep the heat" on your elected representatives in Washington for as long as it takes to win this crucial Section 911 battle.

The complete Action Alert is posted on this web site.

Naturalization Problems Even For Foreign Service Employee Families!

A late-July 1999 communication to members of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) network reveals that it's not only private American citizens who are having troubles with naturalization procedures for family members. Even Foreign Service employees have problems with the INS. Extract from the communication:

  A member has alerted us to the dramatic lengthening of 
  INS processing times under the 'expedited' 
  naturalization procedure for foreign-born spouses of 
  Foreign Service employees being posted abroad. As 
  explained in State 13490 of July 16, the INS's 
  implementation of a 1996 immigration reform law has 
  added months to the time needed to have fingerprints 
  taken, obtain FBI clearance, and other steps. AFSA is 
  investigating possible administrative and/or statutory 
  fixes, but for now we urge anyone planning to use this 
  procedure to start early.

Y2k: State Dept. global survey reveals problems worldwide

A survey conducted by the US State Department in 161 countries has produced a worrisome assessment of impending global problems related to the year 2000 (Y2k) computer date change. "In some countries, these failures could be a mere annoyance, such as a malfunctioning credit card terminal, while in others there is a clear risk that electricity, telecommunications, and other key systems will fail, perhaps creating economic havoc and social unrest," according to the USIA. "About half the countries are considered to be medium or high risks for Y2K failures in the telecommunications, energy, and transportation sectors. The situation is noticeably better in the finance and water/waste water sectors, where around two-thirds of the world's countries are reported to have a low probability of experiencing Y2k-related failures."

In August 1999, the State Department notified selected governments of its concerns of Y2k problems that could affect US citizens living or traveling in those countries. In September 1999, the department's Bureau of Consular Affairs will publicize its concerns to the traveling public concerning Y2k.

Last call for nominations, Overseas Volunteer Award

ACA is seeking nominations from the public at large for the Eugene Abrams Award, highlighting the volunteer efforts of Americans worldwide. To be nominated for this award, an individual must be an American citizen (of any age) who has resided outside the US for at least the past two years, who through voluntary, unpaid service, has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of the community, region or country in which he or she lives. Nominations for the award must include:

• One or more letters of recommendation. The letters should explain why the nominee should be chosen for the award, citing examples of service to the community or group.

• A short résumé or bio-sketch.

• A recent photograph of the nominee, if possible showing him or her among the members of the community or local group.

• Those submitting nominations should also provide their name, address and/or organization as well as their telephone/fax numbers or e-mail address where they can be reached.

The deadline for submission of nominations for this year's award is 15 September 1999. The winner and runners-up will be announced on 10 October 1999. Nominations should be submitted to:

   American Citizens Abroad 
   5 bis rue Liotard 
   CH-1202 Geneva  
   Switzerland

Book review: Travelers Survival Kit India

Vacation Work Publications of Oxford, England has produced another excellent book in its Travellers Survival Kit series. This one, by John & Colette Leak, provides a useful introduction to India, especially for the "India first-timer." ACA has a complete review by Raphael Raphael, a computer instructor & writer living in Indonesia.

AFSA contest: "Best & Worst Diplomatic Acts Of 20th Century"

Bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade is ruled out as "not strictly speaking" a diplomatic act in the Best and Worst Diplomatic Moves of the Century Contest that was announced on 1 September 1999 by the AFSANet.

"The Foreign Service Journal is jumping on the fin de siècle, Y2k bandwagon with a contest to engage the hearts and minds of Foreign Service officers and like-minded types," the announcement stated. You may submit an entry describing the best and/or worst diplomatic move of the 20th century. The person, organization or government that made the move may be from the United States or another country. Along with your nomination, you must include a statement of 200 words or less, explaining why you think your entry deserves the title "Best Diplomatic Move of the 20th Century" or "Worst Diplomatic Move of the 20th Century." All entries must be received by the Journal no later than 30 Nov. 1999 by mail, fax +1 (202) 338-8244, or by e-mail (journal@afsa.org). The address is

   Contest
   Foreign Service Journal
   2101 E Street, NW
   Washington, DC 20037
   USA

Prizes: the first prize in each category will be $100; the second prize will be $50. Additional prizes may be added as we think of them. Winning and other noteworthy entries will be published in the Journal. By submitting your entry, you give your consent to publication. The Editorial Board of the Journal, sitting in camera, will determine the winning entries. The results of the contest will be published in the Journal early in 2000.

ODDS 'N ENDS . . .

Absentee Voting Rights

Check Voting Information News, a monthly newsletter published by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), which is available by e-mail request to (vote@fvap.gov) or online at www.fvap.gov.

The latest edition (September 1999) features the forthcoming "2000-01 Voting Assistance Guide," "Helpful Hints on Mailing Election Materials," and "Stateside Legislative Update: California."

Guatemala Lifestyles

Keep up-to-date with "Guatemala Lifestyles News Update." This handy expat e-mail newsletter is celebrating its second year of publication and is always packed with news for those gringos living in or interested in knowing what's going on in the Central American republic. Sampler of items covered in its August edition:

• earthquake fallout
• interurban bus fare increases
• new airport decision
• new driver's licenses
• new import duties
• how to apply for permanent residency,

among other items. Request a sample copy from the editors at: lifestyles@centramerica.com.

IMF Launches Country Pages

The International Monetary Fund now has links to information about its 182 member countries from its main web site at: www.imf.org. The new information includes press releases, Letters of Intent, IMF disbursements and country repayments. "We are proposing to add links to official Web sites of central banks and finance ministries," said IMF External Relations Director Thomas Dawson.

Inspass Quick Pass program

The New York Times on the Web reported that few business travelers are using the INS Inspass (Automated Passenger Accelerated Service System) at US international airports. "Since 1995, the Inspass program has processed more than 30,000 admissions into the United States. In the last year, enrollment has more than doubled, to about 45,000 people," says the Times. Besides Americans, Canadians and citizens of 26 countries participating in the multinational Visa Waiver Pilot Program (who otherwise meet business travel requirements) are also eligible. The average processing time with the card is 20 seconds. INS is planning to quickly expand the service (from the present eight) to 23 airports. The Inspass card is Free and valid for a year, but the travelers should also have their passport in case of a technical glitch. For more details on Inspass, visit this Web site: www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/howdoi/inspass.htm.

SWISS NEWS

Charity golf tournament in Bad Ragaz

The American Club of Zurich is organizing a charity golf tournament in favor of SOS Children's Villages. Planned for Saturday 25 September 1999, guests of honor will include Ambassador Thomas Borer, Shawne Fielding, Management Consultant Dr. Egon Zehnder and Star Chef André Jaeger. Open to all golfers (CHF 250), you can register now by calling (+41 1) 8313030.

Geneva for Beginners

The American Women's Club of Geneva is organizing its annual "Geneva for Beginners" session starting 7 September 1999 and continuing on through to 12 October. Open to all newcomers for CHF 100/single or CHF 150/couple, you should register before 2 September by calling (+41 22) 7360120 or Fax (+41 22) 7350332.

Geneva International Network on Ageing

"Witness of Life, Witness of Ageing" is the title of this year's photo and essay competition on the theme "Towards a Society for All Ages" organized by the Geneva International Network on Ageing under the auspices of United Nations General Assembly. Entries for the competition should be submitted before 17 September 1999 to

   GINA
   Case postale 412
   CH-1211 Geneva 19
   Switzerland
   Fax (+41 22) 7914839

for possible exhibiting during the UN open house and Global Walk on Saturday 2 October 1999 in Geneva.

American Library Lecture Series

Emily and Charlotte Brontë are the theme of this year's first two lectures at the American Library in Geneva, starting 23 September 1999.

Prepare now for ACA FUNdraiser

Mark your calendar for ACA's annual FUNdraiser to be held 10 March 2000 in Geneva.

THIS ISSUE of ACA's News Update was prepared by David Ferrell, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and edited with the help of ACA's worldwide network of correspondents. To subscribe or contribute to the News Update, contact us at acage@aca.ch.

The ACA News Update editing & publishing team:

• Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Dorothy van Schooneveld, ACA Executive Director
• Co-Senior Editors: Kathryn Boyer, ACA Country Contact in Sweden; David Ferrell, ACA Country Contact in Brazil
• Contributing Editors: Karl Jauch, ACA Associate Executive Director, Geneva; Elizabeth Davis, Spain; Amy Bryant, Germany; Janet Rubinstein, Turkey.

If you would like to become part of the dynamic volunteer team which powers ACA then join us. There is a constant need for additional physical and/or electronic "staff." In addition to regular VOLUNTEERS, ACA is interested in INTERNS and in tailoring CLASS PROJECTS aimed at awakening students to issues affecting American citizens abroad. Contact ACA's Geneva office

The News Update can be maintained in the long-term only if it justifies itself in terms of membership and donation revenue for the organization.

Disclaimer: While ACA makes every effort to be accurate in the information it transmits, such information is not to be considered a substitute for specific and qualified professional advice.

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   American Citizens Abroad ACA 
   5 bis, rue Liotard 
   CH-1202 Geneva 
   Switzerland 
  
     Phone & Fax numbers: 
       (+41 22) 3400233 or (+41 22) 3400448 
     email: acage@aca.ch 
   
   or, in the USA: 
                              
   American Citizens Abroad 
   1051 N. George Mason Drive 
   Arlington, VA 22205 
   USA 
     Fax +1 (703) 527-3269

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