US/Mexican border that is. Recent reports (http://dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3404101) indicate that Mexican soldiers are crossing the border to help smugglers. Not very kosher. This one even bothers a big liberal like me. Other border issues welcome.
I think the borders should be closed, and more secure. Who knows what kind of stuff could be smuggled in. Also, keep immigrants out, there is a legal way for them to come here. I think if they want to come here and work, they should be given a super easy to get pass to go over the border on a daily basis.
In much of Europe we do not have internal border controls any more. When I go from here (Germany) to Belgium, France or the Netherlands, for example, the "border" basically consists of a Welcome to Belgium (etc.) sign. Same thing when I fly from, say, Frankfurt to Barcelona - no passport controls there either, except that the airlines may check them. This "borderless" area - colloquially called Schengenland, after the town of Schengen where the agreement was signed - includes most of Western Europe (British Isles excepted) from Iceland to Greece and Portugal to Finland. The problem, however, is that the controls along the external border have to be tightened. The effects can be seen in the Mediterranean Sea, where every now and then a ship with people from Africa is stopped (people who enter the EU illegally, that is), or around the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Northern Africa. These two places are Spanish but the lands around are Moroccan - and the fences around the two exclaves now look pretty much like the US-Mexican border. Quite a few Africans have died while trying to get across these border lines. And those who did not ake it but survived may try it again ... and again ... Another problem occurs when the area without internal borders is extended east. The Polish-Ukrainian border, for example, would have to be tightened when Poland joins Schengenland. And the Russian exclave around Kaliningrad, between Lithuania and Poland, will be more difficult to reach (and get out from) by land once the two neighbors are Schengen countries. You asked for "other border issues", you got 'em. Christian
The Kaliningrad issue will come to a forefront at some point in the near future, Russia is very keen about protecting it's territory in the former city of Koenigsberg which was part of German East Prussia until 1945. The enclave is populated mainly by Russians of course, since all others were forcibly removed after WWII ended. I looked at completing some studies in Kaliningrad last year, but decided against, it is just not a nice area and besides there is a lot more to see in Volgograd, former Stalingrad.
Guess so too. The Kaliningrad area will of course continue to be Russian, but once the Schengen acquis applies to its two neighbors, getting in and out will be more complicated than it currently is. I have not been there yet but the pictures I have seen, even new ones from the city jubilee last year, do not look very appealing. Being part of the Russian democratorship probably adds to the difficult status of the Kaliningrad "oblast" - elsewhere, such an exclave may be more autonomous. Christian
It is called "Hispania". It is the term given to politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle that are afraid to upset the growing hispanic voting block in this country. Neither of them have the guts to do what it is right. Hence you have groups like the "Minuteman" that have taken the matter into their own hands. The press has tried to paint these people as KKK - Hitler types, but the truth of the matter, it is just people that are sick and tired of witnessing the crimes of these ILLEGAL entries into the U.S. Language, culture, borders...when you start to lose these aspects of your country, you start to lose YOUR COUNTRY!!
I did like the tunnel on the news today. 800 feet long, has it's own lighting & ventlation system. They found 4000lbs. of pot in it. Wonder how long it's been in use??
Chris not sure what airports you use in Germany Mate but everyone I have been through has some of the strictest security regiems that I have come across, in Berlin Tegal hand luggage n passports were checked twice before been allowed into the departure lounge!! Allways had all hand luggage passed through x-ray machines and have to walk through metal detectors n passports checked regular in Germany. De Orc
I think that Kaliningrad will lead to more conflict later on between Russia and the Baltic states, most probably Lithuania. It was ridiculous to take an area which had long been a part of Germany or it's predecessor, Prussia and settled mostly by Germans and then Russify it and make it a part of the Russian SSR in 1945. Russia somehow thought they were going to Russify everything, including the Baltic states, which has led to a backlash now, with significant Russian minorities in each of them, mostly in Latvija and Estonia which have in the perception of the Russian psyche been persecuted under these new democratic NATO member regimes. Similarly there is conflict in the Krim(Crimea) which historically was settled by Tatar people, whom were sent off to Asia after WWII ended, settled by many Russians afterwards, then made a part of the Ukrainian SSR in 1954. Now it continues to be a part of the nation of Ukraine, but with significant Russian and now returning Tatar minorities, Russia agitates much conflict there. There is Russian naval base at Sevastopal, and recently conflict over the control of naval lighthouses in Sevastopal city. When you add it all up you equate the roots of the next big world conflict from the Russian perspective.
You must set off security triggers or something:mouth: I have worse problems travelling into the USA than any other country. In Germany my passport never got more than a passing glance.
I was referring to passport/ID checks inside the Schengen Area. If you come from outside that area - e.g. from the US or the UK - that will of course be different. And if you believe that the security measures at Tegel are tough, try LHR or LAX. Just allow plenty of time. But flying is a "bad" example anyway since there are a couple of other measures involved (luggage checks, etc.) which do not occur with "land" travel. When I fly from Frankfurt, Germany, to Berlin, Germany, I have to go through some checks that I do of course not have to go through when I take my car. And when I fly from Cologne, Germany, to Paris CDG, France, there are checks that do not occur on the road. With my car, I just drive through there - and it's not the "border" or the Welcome to France sign that stops me but the next traffic jam. Christian
Yep I quite agree you can drive round Europe to your hearts content without having to do the customs thing, that is of course until you come visit us in the UK LOL we love our border controls and we even export them to France and Belgium (Eurostar Terminals) My only fear is the outer borders need tightening considrably with more internal co-operation. De Orc
Uh, Sweden had pretty strict border controls when I travelled there, in fact only the European looking ones were still on the train when we left the Ferry Port. The rest of the countries I have been in, I basically rolled over the border and someone would just glance at your ticket and passport.
I am amazed that with all these alleged threats coming into the USA from Mexico, that the border there is so unpatrolled. If drugs and illegal aliens can come in, one wonders whom is coming in that is more of a threat than drug dealers or undocumented workers?
Absolutely! But you have to take into consideration the ACLU and Danr's other friends would be mighty upset IF something ever happened to one of the illegal aliens crossing the border. Why, it would be the fault of that old, nean, stupid guy Danr refers to as "W". Now wouldn't it?
I think it would be easier for me to get into the USA through some hole in the Mexican border than the traditional means I have travelled into the USA, via plane from Russia, Netherlands, France or via car from Canada.
"Schengen" was introduced step by step - in March 1995 in the first seven countries did away with the internal borders. Sweden joined later, along with the other countries of the Nordic "passport union", and did not apply the Schengen acquis until mid-2001. Within Schengenland, there may be temporary border controls on specified occasions. But in general, crossing an internal member state border is like crossing a state line in the US. That is precisely why "tightening" the external borders has become such a big issue here: Because there is nobody any more who would either stop you or wave you through at an internal "border" checkpoint. Christian
Before 1995 I travelled freely in Benelux, France and Germany without ever seeing more than a train conductor checking paperwork. First time I went to Netherlands they never even looked at my passport. The last time I got thoroughly searched coming in from Ukraine.
