TNAG-1206-FCO40-1508-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO 311709Z DEC 82

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1114 OF 31 DECEMBER

INFO IMMEDIATE DELHI AND BIS TEHRAN

YOUR TEL NOS 1517 AND 1533 : GRANT OF VISAS TO IRANIANS

345/2

44805

2

WP

1. WE SHARE TEHRAN'S CONCERN THAT WE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM

REFUSING IRANIAN OFFICIAL VISA APPLICATIONS WHERE THIS MIGHT

PROVOKE RETALIATORY ACTION AND CAUSE US SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES

OVER EG FUNCTIONING OF THE INTERESTS SECTION.

2. WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE ISSUE OF ONE MONTH VISAS TO ROOZBEH

AND SA KIFAR, PROVIDED YOU ARE SATISFIED THAT THIER MOTIVES ARE

GENUINE.

3. DESPITE THE IRANIANS PREVARICATION OVER THE ISSUE OF BUNETT'S

VISA, WE WOULD ON THIS OCCASION BE INCLINED TO CONSIDER FAVOURABLY APPLICATION BY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AT IRANIAN

EMBASSY MANILA, BUT SUGGEST THAT A LIMIT OF ONE WEEK BE IMPOSED. 4. WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG VISA WEAPON GIVES US VALUABLE LEVERAGE OVER IRANIA AS ON QUESTION OF REPRESENTATIONAL

IMBALA NCE.

PYM

DISTRIBUTION

LIMITED

MED

MVD

PCD

HKGD

LEGAL ADVISERS

PS/MR HURD

SIR J LEAHY

MR EGERTON

CONFIDENTIAL

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