TNAG-1206-FCO40-1508-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 21

HO/FO 011/07

00 HANOL

GRS 200

CONFIDENTIAL

HKG D [SEAD]

FM HONG KONG 07035OZ SEPTEMBER 82

TO IMMEDIATE HANOI

TELEGRAM NUMBER 16 OF 07 SEPTEMBER

YOUR TELNO 22: THANG, BONG AND THU

In Hoare

M.

PA 183

•Exer 198

0355/7

7/9

NO DISTRIBUTION

ADVANCE-COPY

Akk 345/2!

IMMEDIATE

WE HAVE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE POINTS RAISED IN YOUR TUR.

↑ LAt 19

2. WE ARE REGRETTABLY OBLIGED TO MAINTAIN A POLICY OF REFUSING ALL VISA APPLICATIONS FROM VIETNAM (AND FROM SOVBLOC COUNTRIES) EXCEPT IN ONE OR TWO WELL-DEFINED AND EXCEPTIONAL CATEGORIES. AS YOU POINT OUT, THIS POLICY IS MAINTAINED AT SOME COST TO HONG KONG. THE CASE OF THANG, BONG AND THU CANNOT BE CONSIDERED MARGINAL AND WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE EARLIER DECISION.

3. THE SWEDISH CONSUL-GENERAL HAS NOW WRITTEN TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN SUPPORT OF THESE APPLICATIONS. IN OUR REPLY WE SHALL TRY TO GIVE AS FRANK AND CAREFUL AN EXPLANATION AS POSSIBLE OF OUR REASONS FOR CONFIRMING THE REFUSAL.

4. WOULD IT NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE VIETNAMESE (WITH THE HELP OF THE SWEDES) TO INSTRUCT AGENTS ALREADY IN HONG KONG TO PROCURE THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN WHICH THEY ARE INTERESTED ?.

HADDON-CAVE