CONFIDENTIAL
ISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG BDTCs
8.
Mrs Chalker said that French authority had recently circulated a list of countries and territories whose passport holders required visas to enter or transit France and that Hong Kong was included in this list. The British side understood that because of the 1946 Visa Abolition Agreement no visa was required for BDTCs. She asked if the French were intending to make a change? M. Gérard said that the French had already circulated a correction (he later telephoned the Embassy to confirm that Hong Kong BDTCs did not
M. Bariani require a visa for transit or short visits to France). said that a general discussion was under way on visa requirements for foreigners. But this was aimed particularly at certain African countries, eg. Senegal, Mali and Mauritania, from which large numbers of immigrants had come. Certain Mahgreb countries were also concerned but the legal position was complicated because of old bilateral agreements.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
9.
Mrs Chalker said that there were about 135 French-speaking Vietnamese in Hong Kong. She hoped that France could accept these, as other countries including Britain had agreed to accept more English-speakers. M. Bariani said that the question was under study and a definite response would be given to HM Embassy.
TERRORISM
10.
M. Bariani said that he had represented France at the Council of Europe meeting on Terrorism on 23/24 April. He had appreciated Mr Eggar's practical proposals. The objective was to extend to the 21 to what the Twelve had already agreed. But the Maltese were
difficult.
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