PAN 7950
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ZCZC PS6015 071558 VDA198
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PLEASE PASS TO APPROPRIATE DESK, THANKS
Minute HID
NENTHA
GHID/
UNCLASSIFIED
FM BEIRUT
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 71
OF 071230Z FEBRUARY 92
AND TO ROUTINE MVD
REG
HONG KONG VISA APPLICATIONS FOR LEBANESE NATIONALS
AN ARTICLE IN TODAY'S L'ORIENT LE JOUR DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE VIEW THAT LEBANESE NATIONALS ARE DISCRIMINATEDAGAINST WHEN APPLYING FOR VISAS FOR HONG KONG. PRIOR TO 1985 VISITORS WERE ABLE TO GET VISAS AT HONG KONG AIRPORT WHEREAS NOW THEY ARE OBLIGED TO APPLY VIA THE BRITISH EMBASSY.
N.B. AUTHORITY GENERALLY TAKES TWO OR MORE MONTHS TO COME THROUGH. THE ARTICLE ALSO STATES THAT VIA MFA SOURCES THEY HAVE LEARNT THAT THE LEBANESE AMBASSADOR TO LONDON WILL BE APPROACHING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON THIS SUBJECT.
TATHAM
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