HOFO007/09
PP MOSCOW
L
GRPS 148
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KO NG 090350Z
CONFIDENTIAL
1
Mr.
R' No. 51
12 MAR 1974
HKK 21/4
11.2.
ви
HO HRIOD info
"/
Molliger
jh11/2
DISTRIBUTION
Repetition only
HKLOD to pa...
TO PRIORITY MOSCOW TILNO 6 OF 9TH FEBRUARY.
SOVIET MARINE SUPERINTENDENTS.
MY 2 I.P.T'S
EESD
sca
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE UNDER OUR RULES TO ISSUE A VISA FOR A YEAR'S STAY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO ANY NATIONALITY. WE ARE UNABLE THEREFORE TO MEET THE REQUEST FOR A 12 MONTH VISA. WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE VERY TIGHT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES ON BRITISH BUSINESSMEN, (YOUR TELEGRAM 4 OF 2ND JULY).
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND WE HAVE REVIEWED OUR ARRANGEMENTS AND HAVE DECIDED THAT WE MUST STICK TO OUR NORMAL PROCEDURES IN THESE CASES AND ISSUE VISAS FOR 3 MONTHS ONLY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. ACCORDINGLY, THREE MONTHS VISAS HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED FOR PIKIN, FOR IVANONV AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
YOU MAY THINK IT USEFUL TO LET THE RUSSIANS KNOW
THAT EXTENSIONS UP TO ONE YEAR WILL NOT BE UNREASONABLY REFUSED, BUT THE PERIODICITY OF SUCH EXTENSIONS IS A MATTER FOR US TO DECIDE. IN THE PAST WE HAVE NEVER REFUSED EXTENSIONS UP TO THE PREVIOUS LIMIT OF NINE MONTHS. WE ARE THEREFORE CONCEDING THAT A FURTHER THREE MONTHS STAY MAY BE GRANTED. WE ARE ALSO ALLOWING FAMILIES TO COME HERE IMMEDIATELY, WHICH IS ALSO A CONCESSION.
MACLEHOSE
NNNN
SENT AT 04027/09 EJH