CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
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нко заблі
25J 1993
WISTE
TO DESKBY 250900ZFCOLN
TELNO 1028
OF 250846Z JUNE 1993
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
-trun Take
ished Mr Kelly
NTCD for quich
Loverments 25/6
177
006614
MDHIAN 6395
TOP COPY
Q DIST?
YOUR TELNO 602: BN (0) PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME, PASSPORT ARRANGEMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ADVICE ON THE LINES TO FOLLOW IN IMPLEMENTING THE HOME SECRETARY'S DECISION TO PERMIT DUAL POSSESSION OF BDTC AND BN (0) PASSPORTS.
2. WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO BRIEF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONALITY ON THE PASSPORT ARRANGEMENTS AT A MEETING ON 29 JUNE 1993. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION'S PRESS CONFERENCE ON 30 JUNE 1993, DURING WHICH DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED. THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON 1 JULY 1993.
3. WE WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST STAMPING BDTC STATUS ON BN (0) PASSPORTS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS
(A) IT WILL BE CONFUSING TO OTHER COUNTRIES:
(B) SINCE THE BDTC ENDORSEMENT WILL LAPSE AFTER 30 JUNE 1997, IT WOULD INVITE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BN (0) STATUS WHICH REMAINS:
(C) EXISTING BN (0) PASSPORT HOLDERS MAY ASK FOR THIS ENDORSEMENT AND THEN APPLY FOR BDTC PASSPORTS, WHICH WOULD CREATE A HEAVY WORKLOAD FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT:
(D) IT MAY REVIVE LEGCO'S REQUEST THAT BDTC PASSPORTS BE STAMPED WITH BNCO) STATUS: AND
(E) ANY REFERENCE IN A BN(0) PASSPORT TO BDTC IS LIKELY TO ATTRACT STRONG REACTIONS FROM THE CHINESE.
4. WE SUGGEST THE LINE SHOULD BE THAT A PERSON DOES NOT LOSE HIS BDTC STATUS UPON ACQUIRING A BN(0) PASSPORT. IF HE WISHES TO HAVE DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF HIS BDTC STATUS, HE CAN APPLY FOR A BDTC PASSPORT (FOR A FEE).
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