20 October 1992
BY FAX (via Conce
Mr Tommy Yuen
CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 062/2
~20/10M)
Air Services Negotiation Unit Economic Services Branch Government Secretariat
HONG KONG
Dear Mr. Yoer,
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1A 2AH
46
File
Pa.
Telephone: 071-270-3287
EMERGENCY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES
1.
The FCO is considering revising its procedures for dealing with emergency requests for diplomatic clearance for foreign aircraft to land in or overfly the United Kingdom and its Dependent Territories. At present Hong Kong is consulted on all dipclear requests including emergency requests.
2. We are now proposing to give the Ministry of Defence a list of countries for which consultation is essential when an emergency request is received from one of that country's aircraft. Countries not on the list will thus qualify for automatic emergency clearance for their aircraft, without further consultation. The list will also mention any special circumstances under which automatic clearance cannot be given e.g. if the aircraft is carrying weapons.
3.
Would Hong Kong have any objections to this revised procedure?
4. Obviously you will need to know which countries are on the proposed "sensitive" list. When the proposed list is drawn up we will send it to you for your comments. In the meantime, we would be grateful if you could indicate whether you have any objections or comments on this proposal by 27 October, if possible.
Yas ever.
Jonathan Mashall
J N Marshall
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL