TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 43

ME2ANE

CONFIDENTIAL

PERMANENT UNDER SECRETARY'S LUNCH WITH SIR BRIAN CUBBON

Points to make

HONG KONG: NATIONALITY

1.

Nationality still a sensitive issue in Hong Kong and will

remain So.

Since the Order in Council was made in June, however,

passions seem to have cooled. We were grateful for Home Office help

over the Order.

2.

To maintain this relative calm we need to mount an effective

diplomatic campaign to secure

secure wide international acceptance of the

new BN (O) passport. The terms of the campaign have now been agreed

between FCO and Home Office officials and we have just submitted to

FCO Ministers for their approval.

I understand Home Office

officials will submit the texts of the campaign's

telegrams to Home Office Ministers for information.

3.

4.

We plan to launch the campaign very shortly.

Notes and

and some

We aim to be

There will be great interest in Hong Kong

Parliamentary interest in the outcome of the exercise.

able to announce in due course that as many countries as possible have indicated they will recognise the new passports.

5.

As a courtesy we have informed the Chinese in general terms

of what we propose.

CONFIDENTIAL