CONFIDENTIAL
NALS
CITIZENS OF COMMUNIST COUNTRIES. WE ARE AWARE THAT, FOR
REASONS OF SECURITY, VISAS ARE NOT NORMALLY GRANTED TO NAT
OF EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BUT WE WONDER IF THERE HAS PERHAPS
BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING OR LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS
OF THESE TWO APPLICANTS. THE VATICAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA
HAS CERTIFIED TO US THAT THESE TWO ECCLESIASTICS ARE IN GOOD
STANDING WITH THE POLISH BISHOPS' CONFERENCE AND THAT THEIR
ATTENDANCE IS VERY MUCH DESIRED AT THE FORTHCOMING CONGRESS.
THE SAME VATICAN BODY HAS ISSUED THEM WITH OFFICIAL LETTERS OF
INVITATION GUARANTEEING THEIR EXPENSES.
4. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES NORMAL SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS HARDLY
ARISE SINCE IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE ANYBODY MORE LIKELY TO
BE STAUNCHLY OPPOSED TO COMMUNIST POLICIES AND IDEAS THAN A
POLISH BISHOP. IF IT IS CORRECT THAT THE VISA APPLICATIONS HAVE
IN FACT BEEN REFUSED WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THE REQUESTS COULD
BE RECONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION GIVEN
ABOVE.
5. THE VATICAN SECRETARIAT OF STATE IS PRESSING US FOR AN URGENT
REPLY.
ENDS
MACLEHOSE
PASSPORT CONTROL DISTRIBUTION
MVD
EESD
PUSD
OID
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CONFIDENTIAL
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