259)
GRS 275
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY PEKING
TELNO 1100
OF 11053OZ NOVEMBER 85
CONFIDENTIAL
201
2811
TOP COPY
PARA 3 OF FCO TELNO 1636 : HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED : ACCEPTABILITY OF BN (0) PASSPORTS.
MY TELNO 2426-9, 2449-51 TO FCO WHICH CONTAIN RECORDS OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND SELECTED CONSUL-GENERALS/COMMISSIONERS ARE REPEATED TO YOU
FOR INFORMATION.
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 2449
OF 080959Z NOVEMBER 85
INFO PRIORITY MANILA
HUR 040/28
REOLIVES
1 NOV 1905
DESK OTHE INDEX
REGISTAY Action Taken
PARA. 3 OF FCO TELNO 1636 : HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTEDS: ACCEPTABILITY OF BN(0) PASSPORT : PHILIPPINES.
IN INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH SECRETARY FOR SECURITY TODAY, THE ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL OF PHILIPPINES REMARKED THAT IN VIEW OF THE SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PHILLIPINES AND THE INTENTION OF HIS GOVERNMENT TO HELP TO MAINTAIN STABILITY
AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG, THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT (NOT) REACT IN A WAY THAT MIGHT DISRUPT A SMOOTH TRANSITION. HE
INDICATED UNOFFICIALLY THAT HE SAW NO SERIOUS PROBLEM IN HIS
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTING THE NEW BN(0) PASSPORT PROVIDED THAT
RETURNABILITY WAS GUARANTEED. NEVERTHELESS, HE ADDED THAT VISA
ABOLITION ARRANGEMENTS MIGHT HAVE TO BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF
CHANGES.
2. ON THE QUESTION OF RETURNABILITY, THE CONSUL-GENERAL AND HIS
ASSISTANT WERE ASSURED THAT WITH A RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT IN
BN(0) PASSPORTS, THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION ABOUT A BN (0) PASSPORT
HOLDER'S RETURNABILITY TO HONG KONG BEFORE OR AFTER 1997.
3. THE CONSUL-GENERAL ALSO ENQUIRED ABOUT THE LIKELY ARRANGEMENTS
IN RESPECT OF REPATRIATION AFTER 1997. HE WAS PARTICULARLY
INTERESTED IN WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE
SAR GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO ACCEPT BN(0) PASSPORT HOLDERS. IT WOULD
BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A CLEAR STATEMENT ON WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF
HMG WOULD BE IN RESPECT OF REPATRIATION. THE ANSWER TO THE SECOND
POINT WOULD SEEM TO BE THAT THE RIGHT OF ABODE OF THE HOLDERS OF
BN(0) PASSPORTS WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT NOT
TO ACCEPT THEM BACK.
CONFIDENTIAL