0003170
G. F. 317
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the view was taken that, although for economic reasons the
Hong Kong authorities were most reluctant to let the Kowloon
Docks Company lose these contracts, there were limits to the
extent to which the Hong Kong Government could accede to blatant
Russian pressure. Government was, therefore, reluctant to grant any more visas to the party and this stand was made known
to the British Ambassador, Moscow.
6.
the Deputy
On the 27th March, 1967, the Chief Manager of Kowloon
Docks received a telegram from Sergei SVIRIN, the TASS correspondent,
in Singaporo, requesting the recipient's assistance in obtaining
visas for Hong Kong for himself and Vadim KASSIS,
Chief Editor of IZVESTIA. This appeared to be a renewal of
previous efforts by Soviet correspondents to obtain entry to
Hong Kong. On this occasion the Kowloon Docks Company's
interests in obtaining the repair contracts were being exploited in order to facilitate the issue of visas. On advice, the
Chief Manager of Kowloon Docks informed SVIRIN that his request
had been passed to the Immigration Department, Hong Kong. As
with previous applications, SVIRIN's request, and that of KASSIS, was refused by the Immigration Department, in accordance with the present Hong Kong Government policy, namely that an Iron
Curtain national's application for a visa will be granted only
where a visit will be of economic benefit to the Colony.
7.
On the 28th March, 1967, the Commercial Counsellor at the British Embassy, Moscow, interviewed KHANGALDIAN and pointed out
to him that it was thought a party of three could adequately
handle the business in Hong Kong. KHANGALDIAN replied that it
might clarify matters if he spelled out in some detail what role
the various members of the party would play. He himself, as
leader, in concert with BABYNIN, would be discussing ship repair
Contracts. ZOUEV, assisted by GURYANOV, would be discussing
shipping freight questions, while AZAROV's task would be to deal
with the supply, from the Soviet Union, of spare parts and
equipment for Soviet ships undergoing repair. He, AZAROV, would
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/also be