TNAG-2088-FCO40-2973-Diplomatic-representation-of-third-countries-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 97

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HKB

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163017

MDLIAN 0148

RECEIVED DECISTRY

0 8 MAR 1990

RESTRICTED

FM CARACAS

DES!

TO PRIORITY FCO

INDE

TELNO 36

DEF

OF 20190OZ FEBRUARY 1990

AND TO PRIORITY HONG KONG AND PEKING

HONG KONG TELNO 285: ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN VENEZUELAN

CONSULATE IN HONG KONG

SUMMARY

1. RISING NUMBERS OF CHINESE ARRIVING IN VENEZUELA FROM HONG KONG, VIA LONDON: INVESTIGATION INTO VENEZUELAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE UNDERWAY, AMID ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION.

DETAIL

2. THE VENEZUELAN MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR ANNOUNCED ON 19 FEBRUARY

THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS TAKING PLACE INTO THE OPERATIONS OF DIEX, THE DIRECCION DE IDENTIFICACION Y EXTRANJERIA (THE LOCAL EQUIVALENT OF THE HOME OFFICE IMMIGRATION SERVICE), FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL IN VENEZUELA ON 15 FEBRUARY OF A LARGE NUMBER OF CHINESE SUBJECTS ON A BA FLIGHT FROM LONDON. THE MINISTRY STATEMENT REFERRED TO INDICATIONS OF IRREGULARITIES IN DOCUMENTATION. THE DIEX DIRECTOR HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

3. THE CARACAS PRESS HAS TAKEN UP THE STORY. PRESS REPORTS REFER TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED BUSINESS IN WHICH EACH CHINESE TRAVELLER PAID DOLLARS 10,000 TO AN ORGANISATION PRESUMABLY COMPRISED OF HIGH DIEX OFFICIALS AND DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL. THE REPORTS DESCRIBE THE DOCUMENTATION AS AUTHENTIC, BUT THE MANNER OF ITS ISSUE AS IRREGULAR. ONE STORY SPEAKS OF 1100 ARRIVALS OVER RECENT MONTHS, FROM HONG KONG VIA LONDON.

4. WE ASSUME THAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS IN CARACAS FOLOW FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN TUR.

FITZHERBERT

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