TNAG-0511-FCO40-576-Visits-of-ships-from-Soviet-Union-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 76

HOFO007/09

PP MOSCOW

L

GRPS 148

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KO NG 090350Z

CONFIDENTIAL

1

Mr.

R' No. 51

12 MAR 1974

HKK 21/4

11.2.

ви

HO HRIOD info

"/

Molliger

jh11/2

DISTRIBUTION

Repetition only

HKLOD to pa...

TO PRIORITY MOSCOW TILNO 6 OF 9TH FEBRUARY.

SOVIET MARINE SUPERINTENDENTS.

MY 2 I.P.T'S

EESD

sca

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE UNDER OUR RULES TO ISSUE A VISA FOR A YEAR'S STAY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO ANY NATIONALITY. WE ARE UNABLE THEREFORE TO MEET THE REQUEST FOR A 12 MONTH VISA. WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE VERY TIGHT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES ON BRITISH BUSINESSMEN, (YOUR TELEGRAM 4 OF 2ND JULY).

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND WE HAVE REVIEWED OUR ARRANGEMENTS AND HAVE DECIDED THAT WE MUST STICK TO OUR NORMAL PROCEDURES IN THESE CASES AND ISSUE VISAS FOR 3 MONTHS ONLY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. ACCORDINGLY, THREE MONTHS VISAS HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED FOR PIKIN, FOR IVANONV AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

YOU MAY THINK IT USEFUL TO LET THE RUSSIANS KNOW

THAT EXTENSIONS UP TO ONE YEAR WILL NOT BE UNREASONABLY REFUSED, BUT THE PERIODICITY OF SUCH EXTENSIONS IS A MATTER FOR US TO DECIDE. IN THE PAST WE HAVE NEVER REFUSED EXTENSIONS UP TO THE PREVIOUS LIMIT OF NINE MONTHS. WE ARE THEREFORE CONCEDING THAT A FURTHER THREE MONTHS STAY MAY BE GRANTED. WE ARE ALSO ALLOWING FAMILIES TO COME HERE IMMEDIATELY, WHICH IS ALSO A CONCESSION.

MACLEHOSE

NNNN

SENT AT 04027/09 EJH