"We want the Czech Republic to have visa-waiver status," Cabaniss said April 3, referring to a U.S. program that eliminates the need for visas for citizens from certain countries. "We are trying our best to make that possible."

But the ambassador cautioned, "People who give timelines build unrealistic expectations."

Cabaniss spoke to reporters after giving Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek a 20-minute tour of the U.S. Embassy's consular section in charge of issuing visas. He said he wanted to show Paroubek that the system was transparent and efficient.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic, but the United States requires one of Czechs — a major sore spot in relations between the two countries, not least of all because of the expense involved for Czechs attempting to obtain a visa.

Foreign Affairs Minister Cyril Svoboda recently vowed that in retaliation for this policy the Czech Republic would begin enforcing tougher immigration measures on citizens from the United States, Canada and Australia, including making them prove they have $35,000 (836,150 Kč) in health insurance coverage.

Canada and Australia also do not let Czechs visit without visas.

Cabaniss has been outspoken on the visa issue of late, defending the United States' practice in a recent opinion article in Czech daily Mladá fronta Dnes.

Paroubek, who has in the past sharply criticized the United States for its visa policy, was more measured during the meeting, reversing himself when he said cracking down on U.S. tourists was a bad idea. Only two weeks ago he supported Svoboda's call for tougher measures.

"That would hurt ourselves," Paroubek said. "It would harm our economy and Czech citizens.

"Our aim is to have more tourists from the United States," he said.

Thirty-five thousand Czechs applied for visas to visit the United States last year, and 10 percent were rejected. Cabaniss said most are rejected because they cannot prove their intent to return to the Czech Republic when their visa expires.