TNAG-1202-FCO40-1504-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 123

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Mr Evans

НКК 34512. HKK

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THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER

SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958

INTAX

Mi Clift

Sea5 (45)

HONG KONG : MS VERTUCCI

1.

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Ms Vertucci, an American lawyer, has been working in Hong Kong for the last 4 years as an assistant editor of the 'Asian Monitor' Her permission to stay in Hong Kong expires on 5 February and it has been decided not to renew it.

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Hong Kong Telegram No 89 gives the present position, in particular the fact that Ms Vertucci has now appealed against the curtailment of her stay.

2. There has been considerable interest in Ms Vertucci's case in Hong Kong and attempts are being made to drum up support for her here. These are being coordinated by Mr Walter Easy, an ex-Hong Kong policeman, who works for the Hong Kong Research Project which is generally critical of the Hong Kong Government.

3.

Mr Easey's campaign has so far led to 6 Parliamentary Questions from Mr Robert Parry MP and calls to the Office from the Archbishop of Canterbury's Secretary, the Executive Chairman of Justice and the British Council of Churches. There has also been a short article in 'The Guardian'. A similar campaign is being waged in Hong Kong; Hong Kong Telegram No 88.

4.

It is generally believed

that she is not being allowed to stay because of involvement with local protect groups.

In any case it is also the policy of the Hong Kong Government not to give reasons for individual decisions on immigration matters, although a Hong Kong Government spokesman under pressure has stated that it is not Ms Vertucci's local activities which have led to the decision. The Hong Kong Government are now taking the line that since she has appealed to the Governor in Council it would be inappropriate to comment. We can do the same for the time being in London but once the appeal has been considered and in all probability rejected, on 9 February, there is likely to be pressure for a more detailed explanation both from the Hong Kong Government and from Ministers here, We can expect Mr Parry to follow up his earlier PQS.

5. I am sure that we should then give full support to the Hong Kong Government. It would probably be necessary to hold the line that it is not the practice to give reasons in such cases.

Attacher

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We shall however keep in close touch with

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