TNAG-1206-FCO40-1508-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 71

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00 TEHRAN DESKBY 150430Z

GR 350

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 150430Z

FM FCO 141838Z DEC 82

TO IMMEDIATE BIS TEHRAN

TELNO 411 OF 14 DEC

INFO SAVING STOCKHOLM, HONG KONG.

YOUR TELNO 813: VISA FOR BURNETT

1. HEAD OF MED SUMMONED IRANIAN CHARGE' AND SAIDI AT

4.30 PM ON 14 DECEMBER TO ASK WHY IN THE LIGHT OF THE

ASSURANCES WE HAD RECEIVED FROM THE MFA IN TEHRAN, THE

IRANIAN EMBASSY WERE STILL UNABLE TO ISSUE A VISA.

2. FARROKHROUZ AND SAIDI HEDGED, REFERRING TO DIFFICULTIES

CAUSED BY THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND ASKED FOR THE NUMBER OF

THE TEL AUTHORISING ISSUE AND THE DATE. MIERS EMPHASISED

THERE WAS A CLEAR CONTRADICTION BETWEEN 'THE ASSURANCES

RECEIVED IN TEHRAN FROM THE MFA AND THE NON-ISSUE OF

VISA IN LONDON. HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE REASON BUT WAS

ASKING THE EMBASSY TO SORT IT OUT IN THE INTERESTS OF ANGLO/

IRANIAN RELATIONS. MIERS SQUASHED ATTEMPTS BY SAIDI TO

ASSOCIATE ISSUE OF BURNETT'S VISA WITH THE QUESTION OF

MOBARHANI'S INCLUSION ON THE DIPLOMATIC LIST

OR ANY LIMITATION ON THE NUMBERS OF IRANIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON.

WE DID NOT WISH TO GET INVOLVED IN A VISA WAR BUT MATTERS WOULD

SOON GET OUT OF HAND. THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL VISAS ISSUED WAS

GREATLY IN IRAN'S FAVOUR.

3. SAIDI UNDERTOOK TO CONTACT TASHKORI, HEAD OF PROTOCOL

DEPARTMENT TO RESOLVE THE QUESTION. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD DELAY

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