CONFIDENTIAL
021425
MDLOAN 2352
GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS FROM SOME EC PARTNERS, NOTABLY FRG, ITALY AND SPAIN. WE ASSESS THE IMMIGRATION CASE FOR RETENTION OF VISAS TO BE MINIMAL AND THE SECURITY CASE TO HAVE WEAKENED BUT TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO COUNSEL CAUTION. MUCH WILL DEPEND ON THE NATURE OF THE GOVERNMENTS FORMED FOLLOWING ELECTIONS IN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY REFORM THEIR INTELLIGENCE
SERVICES.
5.
POLAND
THE REMAINING 3 COUNTRIES PRESENT VARYING PROBLEMS. AND ROMANIA HAVE LARGE POPULATIONS AND POOR ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN THE SHORT TERM. THERE WILL BE AN INCENTIVE FOR THEIR NATIONALS TO SEEK WORK OVERSEAS. BULGARIA IS AN UNCERTAIN QUANTITY UNTIL ELECTIONS ARE HELD IN JUNE.
6.
IN SUM WE ARE LIKELY TO DROP THE VISA REQUIREMENT FOR GDR SOON. HUNGARY AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA MAY PRESENT HOPEFUL PROSPECTS FOR ABOLITION IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.
7 MEANWHILE WE HAVE INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO
B
STREAMLINE ISSUES OF VISAS. WE HAVE EXTENDED THE ISSUE OF MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS TO 2 YEARS DURATION FOR BONA FIDE
BUSINESSMEN, RELAXED REFERRAL PROCEDURES, INTRODUCED A SPEEDIER SERVICE FOR THOSE AGED 24 AND UNDER AND WE ARE GENERALLY TRYING TO ISSUE VISAS MORE RAPIDLY.
8=
IN PARA 3 OF TUR YOU ASK FOR OUR VIEW ON THE SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE THREAT. THE SECURITY SERVICE HAVE JUST PRODUCED A THREAT ASSESSMENT AND A COPY IS BEING PASSED TO YOU THROUGH THE SLO. THIS SHOULD HELP YOU TO DECIDE WHETHER TO FOLLOW US IN LIBERALISING AND STREAMLINING YOUR VISA OPERATION. IN THE OPTIONS PUT FORWARD IN PARA 4 OF TUR YOU MENTION LIMITED DURATION VISA FREE VISITS. WE MAINTAIN AN ALL OR NOTHING VISA POLICY BECAUSE OUR PRIMARY CONTROL IS ON-ENTRY AND WE HAVE FEW POST-ENTRY CHECKS. WE ARE THEREFORE RESISTING REQUESTS FOR THE PARTIAL LIFTING OF VISA REGIMES.
9.
WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE PRESENT REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR HONG KONG VISAS FROM OUR POSTS IN EASTERN EUROPE AND ARE CONTENT THAT THESE WORK WELL. THE POSTS COPY THE ORIGINAL REFERRAL TO MVD AND THESE ARE IMMEDIATELY TRANSMITTED FOR SECURITY CHECKS. ON AVERAGE A RESPONSE IS RECEIVED WITHIN 5 DAYS AND IMMEDIATELY SENT TO HONG KONG (AND THE POST). THIS SHOULD MEET THE TIMETABLE YOU SET IN PARA 5 OF TUR.
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