auj

sat of general

It was difficult to get the Chrise

to

1997

agree that after HongKong people could

continue to

[SK1A

Gils

Mr Lloyd, Consular Dept

REPATRIATION OF BN(O) S

1.

2.

Mr Lg (der salonly)

Draft aply to attuli mizuk for

Consulr Pest, a drift til

to Hk.co

Al Decur. Bazed

Mr Harrison's minute of 5 February refers.

to Thirs of i

earlier dufts by

dar Hill

H.

to

1/2

agreement

last

I am grateful for Consular Department's include the possibility of repatriation to Hong Kong as a

resort

in the consular protection package we propose for BN(O) passport holders. This will be of great assistance in ensuring the world-wide acceptability of BN(O) passports, and in ceassuring Hong Kong people as out thers fulmine freedom to travel.

3.

them,

For Dome of I am afraid we see little possibility of our being able to secure

We note your hope that it will be possible to arrange for some sort of undertaking to repay being given tho the Hong Kong

by SAR Government after we 99 th faktionen the inquere Coreyppent mihas question.

thes There will be no SAR Government until after 1 July 1997 and the Chinese Government will not agree to pay for the repatriation of persons travelling on British passports, The Chinese might of course course agree to repatriate themas/Chinese nationals resident in Hong Kong. This would be a possibility that our Consulates explore at also ask the SAR Government's Assistance in trying to recover

could

the time. On a case by case basis after 1997 we can

money from people who have been repatriated. Any form of general

4.

I can net

probably

let pass

cats will fall.

agreement is, however, out of the question, and I am sme we music put the hold British question to Ministers on the bac

ove the Fur repatriation budget. passports (which they new as travel docemonts) as and I am sme they would not in general

an

that pome pass the suggestion in Mr Harrison's minute that there is no guarantee that the whole Hong Kong package will be honoured. The Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong is international agreement which is legally binding, acknowledged such by the Chinese Government and registered at the United Nations. We believe there are therefore substantial

guarantees that it will be honoured. / Sony & sound

/Sony to sound stulty,

but it is us showed say anything to cast flowe

to cast thould on the fimmers of these arrangements-

y

5.

very important that wome

In light of this I would be grateful for your comments on the attached draft telegram to Hong Kong. I would also be grateful if you could prepare a submission to Ministers proposing that HMG accept the costs of repatriation of BN(O) s after 1997 in the last resort.

Queally ought wait to

They wright in the event

M T Hill

10 February 1986

WH 305

Hong Kong Department 233 3722

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