TNAG-1569-FCO40-2135-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 99

1

NTD

FCO

CONFIDENTIAL

1) Lijny picopy (th))

2) Fuss Winde

In Le Breton

Lo Sa

British Embassy

GNP 343/32

200CT 1908

Szétio

WARSAW

1000

17 October 1986

Dear Department

HONG KONG: BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS): THIRD COUNTRIES

1.

106

FACILITATING TRAVEL TO

Le Breton's letter of 23 September to Heads of Mission refers.

2. As Acting Head of Chancery I called on 15 October on Pawlak, Director of the MFA department responsible inter alia for China and Hong Kong. In addition to leaving copies of a third person Note and the annex attached to Le Breton's letter under reference, I left a speaking note highlighting the "points to make" in the text of Le Breton's letter. Pawlak understandably told me that he would have to pass on the information to the relevant technical department of the MFA, but he said that he fully took my point about the political importance which we attached to the issue and to the need to ensure that the Joint Declaration was successfully implemented, thus allowing the people of Hong Kong to continue to have confidence in their future, including confidence in their freedom to travel.

3. Pawlak said that Poland naturally supported the Joint Declara- tion but had not seen fit publicly to issue statements welcoming it. Poland's position on the question of Hong Kong and full support for China's earlier claims was well known. He was sure that the arrangements proposed for the new nationality status would present no difficulties for Poland, but public statements of support were unlikely. The number of Hong Kong residents travelling through Poland were small, and he was not aware that there had ever been difficulties. Pawlak, who had recently accompanied Jaruzelski on the latter's visit to Peking, went on to tell me about the new level of importance in Poland's relations with China. It was quite clear from his remarks that Poland will seek to keep in step with China wherever possible.

4. I will report further if and when there is a reaction from the MFA after they have studied the written material which we have

provided.

Yours sincerely

Ian Mathew

I A G Mathewson

CONFIDENTIAL