TNAG-1743-FCO40-2462-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 72

Background

1. Some of the countries with whom Britain has a Visa

Abolition Agreement are applying a visa requirement to holders

of BDTC passports which they did not apply prior to the

introduction of BNA 1981. This means that Bermudians with

these passports (about 36,000 in number) have to lodge visa applications in third countries. This is done either by post

or personally. Specifically HMG has been asked to negotiate

exceptional arrangements with VAA countries for Bermudian

BDTCs to ensure that they continue to enjoy visa-free

entry to all those countries.

2.

behalf

-

Premier Swan raised this matter in Bermuda with the

Secretary of State in January 1987 and with officials in London

later that month. Following these meetings it was hoped that a way would be found to help the Bermudians and a number of

options were considered by this office and by the Home Office. However it became increasingly clear that there was no easy solution to the problem. A specific request on Bermuda's

or indeed a request on behalf of all BDTCs might jeopardise existing VAAS and have serious consequences for a wider community. If negotiations were to be entered into by HMG they would have to be for all BDTCS. This might result in the cancellation or tightening of many of the arrangements Hong Kong has made with about 70 countries for visa-free entry for its own BDTC passport holders (there are over 3.25 million BDTC passport holders in Hong Kong, by far the largest concentration). Any erosion of these visa-free arrangements could adversely affect confidence in the territory in the run- up to 1997.

3. The decision not to entreat with VAA countries on Bermuda's behalf was relayed to the Deputy Governor of Bermuda in January this year.

He has since replied that discussion of the subject continues to be highly emotive, adding that our decision could influence the debate on independence. For that reason he has not

conveyed the decision to Premier Swan; instead he has told the Minister of Home Affairs (who, from accounts from WIAD, seems to have reacted calmly asking simply that the matter be pursued at every

/opportunity).