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PP HONG KONG
GRS 197
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 021120Z JAN 81
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TOP COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
TELEGRAN NUMBER 2 OF 2 JANUARY
3411
HKK 341
Нікк
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
10 1A
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INDEX
No Msia.,
[69 2011 See
5237
1
FOR CATER FROM CLIFT
YOUR TELNOS VISA 365 AND 369: WANDERERS ASSOCIATION
VISAS NOW APPROVED (TELEGRAM SENT IN VISA SERIES).
1.
2.
THE GOVERNOR TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD PREFER
WANDERERS NOT TO BE SEEN BY MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS. I AM SURE
THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE FORMER. HOWEVER IT MAY BE DIFFICULT
TO DECLINE ALTOGETHER TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH
A PUBLIC DEPARTMENT. I FULLY APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT
INFLATING THE WANDERERS' STATUS BUT WE HAVE TO AVOID PARLIA-
MENTARY AND OTHER CRITICISM (FOR RATHER SIMILAR REASONS TO THOSE
IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF SECOND TUR). UNLESS THEREFORE THE GROUP'S
LINKS WITH TAIWAN ARE SUFFICIENTLY SUBSTANTIAL AND OVERT TO
JUSTIFY REFUSAL WE MAY DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE TO AGREE
TO A CALL AT DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL (NOT HEAD OF DEPARTMENT). WE WOULD
OF COURSE TELL THE GROUP THAT WE FULLY SUPPORTED HONG KONG'S POLICY
ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATIOIN AND BE READY WITH PRESS BRIEFING TO THIS
EFFECT TO COUNTER ANYTHING THEY MIGHT SAY PUBLICLY.
3.
GRATEFUL FOR EARLY WARNING OF WANDERERS' TRAVEL PLANS.
CARRINGTON
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
MINIMAL
HKGD
MVD
NEWS DEPARTMENT
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE LONDON.
CONFIRE WAL
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