SECRET
060230 MDHIAN 5861
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
HKB
RECEIVED IN
34-5
25 JUN 1990
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1944
DESK OFFICER
OF 211115Z JUNE 90
INDEX
PA
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TOP COPY
Q DIST ?
33
YOUR TELNO 1145: VISA POLICY FOR NATIONALS OF EAST EUROPEAN AND
COMMUNIST STATES
1.
WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE DEADLINE FOR EXCO ON 19 JUNE (PARA 7 OF OUR TELNO 1837), BUT WE NOW AIM TO PRODUCE AN INFORMATION PAPER FOR THE MEETING ON 3 JULY. WE AIM TO INCLUDE ROMANIA AND BULGARIA IN THE MORE RESTRICTIVE CATEGORY. FROM PARA 2(2) OF TUR WE ASSUME THAT THE PDRY IS NOW REGARDED IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS EAST GERMANY AND THAT THE NEW REPUBLIC OF YEMEN SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM EITHER OF OUR TWO EAST EUROPEAN/SOVBLOC LISTS. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION OF THIS LATTER POINT DESKBY 25010OZ.
VIETNAM IS AS YOU KNOW MORE DIFFICULT FOR US. A RELAXATION AT THIS TIME IS NOT IN OUR IMMEDIATE INTERESTS. BUT WE WILL BE WILLING TO RECONSIDER AT A LATER STAGE, IF AND WHEN ADEQUATE PROGRESS IS MADE ON A RESOLUTION OF THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
2.
YUGOSLAV TRAVELLERS DO NOT REQUIRE A VISA FOR A VISIT OF UP TO 7 DAYS. THIS PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED UPON APPLICATION IN HONG KONG. TRAVELLERS WHO OBTAIN A VISA FOR A LONGER PERIOD BEFORE ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG ARE NORMALLY GRANTED A STAY OF THREE MONTHS. NO SECURITY CHECKS ARE CONDUCTED FOR SUCH VISITORS.
3
WE CONTINUE TO SEE A VALUE IN ANY TRACES THE SECURITY SERVICE
IS ABLE TO PROVIDE. IT MUST BE FOR THEM TO DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES HERE BEFORE
1997.
4.
5. ON THE QUESTION OF EX POST FACTO ACTION WE SHOULD POINT OUT THAT WE ARE NOT CONSTRAINED HERE IN THE WAY THAT THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES APPEARS TO BE IN THE UK. WHEN JUSTIFIED, WE CAN AND DO TAKE ACTION AFTER THE EVENT. THIS CAN INCLUDE REFUSING ENTRY TO
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SECRET
1
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED
IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
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