GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Visa-free travel between Russia and Israel could soon be a reality. Do you welcome the move, or can you see a downside?
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oleg       September 2, 2007, 21:34
Richard,the only nasty,rude,people working at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow,are the Russian workers!My wife can tell you this.As an American,I was shocked to see how many Russian's work at my country's Embassy..The two people that were rude to my wife were both Russian.And if you go to the Russian Embassy in Madrid,they were very rude to my self and my wife.The fact is all Embassy's are rude.America,as any other country must protect its borders..We have enough illegal immigrants creating problems, 12 million+.By the way,those who commited the 11 Sep attacks, were able to do this due to relaxed visa procedures!!
humble       August 31, 2007, 21:38
listen, Russian visa procedures and officials who handle them are world reknown for their simplicity, efficency and politness, right? visit the Russian Embassy in Londo or Paris for that matter to find out for yourself. If that is not enough, the lines at Sheremetevo airport will complete the experience...that's is probably the only time I envy the Russians - they have fast-track entrance to their country which is the way it should be. so, you have my vote for scraping visa between Russian and the Western countries - all the bad guys will find a way to cross borders anyway, visas are onoy to make your grandmother's life more complicated
Richard       August 31, 2007, 17:41
RinR - not only the Russians who experience humiliating situations connected with America. I do not hold a Russian passport and went there last year - never again, even if you paid me. I was in the British Embassy some years ago, in Moscow, and was quite disgusted in the way Russians were treated by the British. Not only America do we have this disgusting behaviour.
Having no visas is a wonderful thing, but Russia must continue to protect herself.
RinR       August 31, 2007, 14:05
@Norman. Sadly, ALL Russians are not only intimidated by the American visa process.... Russians are humiliated in the process. I've been through getting this visa - and it felt like a miracle when i got it. but i saw how people are treated at the US embassy here.... like junk. Some of my friends who've been to the states many times get refused just because, without any explanation.

I agree, if only this visa process between Russia and US was easier, may be more people could go both ways and a lot of the stereotypes would be forgotten?.... but may be this isn't realistic...
andrei       August 30, 2007, 21:36
Russia must protect herself with visas, border patrols, and strategic airplanes.
Norman       August 30, 2007, 21:24
Good idea for less visa rules. Now, if only Russia and the United States could do this. Many Americans are intimidated by the Russian visa process. One concern in Israel might be Muslim's with Russian passports.
vencor       August 30, 2007, 16:03
Open borders didn’t hurt anyone in the past, nor should it now! People/Governments/societies having something to hide and/or protect install these ridiculous mechanisms, which in the end hurt their own. Today, Russia has visa-less regimes with a number of countries and more the merrier, according to international norms. In fact it increases the country’s prestige and influence. Thus, Israel, if wanting to open its borders to Russians could benefit Israel more than Russians.