TNAG-1406-FCO40-1881-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 155

CONFIDENTIAL

7. We would, therefore, be grateful if, provided you have no objection, you could now sound out the Mexicans: informally on the lines of paragraph 4 drawing as necessary on paragraphs 3, 5 and 6 as necessary. At this stage written communication

should be confined to the handing over of speaking notes.

8. We do not wish to carp but we think that, so far, this. problem has not been handled as well as might have been..

For example, by exchanging letters with the Mexicans about the Cayman Islands in 1984 as described in your telegram No 5 to Hamilton and (without FCO authority so far as we can see) you may have given the Mexicans the impression that we do not care about. the DT. Indeed had we been made aware in 1984 of the Mexican decision to extend a visa requirement to BDTC (which the 1959 VAA permits) we could perhaps have headed them off over Bermuda and Hong Kong. This is now water under the bridge and we look forward to hearing how the Mexicans react to your approach.

copies to:

MCAD

HKD

WIAD

Yours smarely Prymilen

R JMiller

Migration and Visa Department

CONFIDENTIAL