John Ashcroft, the US attorney general, on Thursday insisted Europeans should view new fingerprinting procedures at US airports as evidence of effective anti-terrorism co-operation with Europe rather than a restriction on personal freedom.

Mr Ashcroft's visit to Europe coincided with Friday's extension of the US border security scheme to visitors from countries that have an agreement with the US that waives a visa requirement. These countries include 15 of the 25 European Union nations as well as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore.