RESTRICTED
DFB Le Breton Esq
Nationality and Treaty Department
FCO
+
BRITISH High commISSION
DHAKA
11 December 1986
Done on Becker,
Dame
HONG KONG: BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS): THIRD COUNTRIES
1.
FACILITATING TRAVEL TO
I am sorry we have not reported earlier in response to your letter of 23 September about the new nationality status of British Nationals (Overseas). We had difficulty securing an appointment with the appropriate senior official in the MFA, but I was finally able to call on 10 December on the Directo (AUS equivalent) for South East Asia and Pacific, Dr Fazlul Hassan Yusuf.
2.
Queral
Before we began Dr Yusuf reiterated the condolences the Government of Bangladesh had sent on the death of Sir Edward Youde, for which I thanked him. I then spoke as instructed in your letter under reference and handed over a note based on the material in and enclosed with that letter and tailored to local requirements. He had not seen any previous version and was not aware whether the FCO's note due to have been circulated to Diplomatic Missions in London on 30 September had arrived in the MFA. But he was well informed on the Joint Declaration and had no difficulty understanding the mechanism of the new nationality After we had gone status or the affect it was intended to have. through the details he commented that it all seemed straight- forward, part and parcel of the pragmatic approach by the British over Hong Kong which in his view had successfully avoided the building up of any tension.
3. I emphasised it was important that the people of Hong Kong should continue to feel confident about their future and their freedom to travel for business and recreation. I pointed to the expressions of international support made by the Americans, Australians and Japanese and urged that Bangladesh should consider making some similar public gesture or at least inform the High Commission of its satisfaction with the Hong Kong nationality arrangements. Dr Yusuf said he noted my comments, would consult with colleagues and would let me know in due course what action, if any, the GOB felt able to take.
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