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5. SAMAHA RECOGNISED THAT LEBANON HAD A BAD REPUTATION AND THAT THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT TERRORISM. BUT THINGS WERE NOW MUCH IMPROVED AND HE COULD NOT SEE WHY HONG KONG NEEDED TO HAVE A SPECIAL REGIME FOR LEBANESE CITIZENS WHEN PALESTINIANS (FOR EXAMPLE) COULD GET VISAS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. I SAID I DID NOT KNOW THE BACKGROUND AND WOULD MAKE ENQUIRIES.
I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING ENCOURAGING I CAN SAY TO SAMAHA, WHO IS A FRIENDLY COLLEAGUE. I AM COPYING THIS TELELETTER TO LONDON AND BEIRUT BECAUSE SAMAHA THOUGHT THAT APPROACHES MIGHT BE MADE THERE, IN ADDITION TO HIS OWN.
I AM COPYING THIS TELELETTER TO S WJ FULLER, NENAD, FCO, AND DE TATHAM, BEIRUT.
ROBIN MCLAREN
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