TNAG-1468-FCO40-1997-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1986 — Page 7

NR7AJC

BN (0) Passports

Line to take

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We reminded Ministers of the importance attached in Hong Kong to action by HMG to promote the international acceptability of BN (0) passports. They reaffirmed the commitment which they have given to Parliament and Hong Kong that there will be a coordinated diplomatic

campaign to explain the status of the passport to foreign governments. This will be initiated in the near future,in good time for the issue of the first BN (0) passports in the middle of next

year.

We have already received very encouraging informal indications

from the US, Australian and Japanese Governments, and Ministers are confident that the new passports will receive widespread acceptance.

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