TNAG-2180-FCO40-3117-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 14

1. Mr Hague

R1"/4

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FM NEW DELHI

TO TELELETTER FCO

TELELETTER

OF 12123OZ APRIL 90

23/4

FROM S J L WRIGHT, NEW DELHI

RESTRICTED

TO: D J FITTON ESQ, SAD, FCO

×2377

८.

005503 MDTTAN 7843

CC "Roseland - Meśdin

HKD:

HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

1. WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTS HERE THAT DURING HIS STATE

VISIT PRESIDENT VENKATARAMAN EXPRESSED ANXIETY ABOUT THE POSITION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN IN HONG KONG.

2. YOU WILL RECALL THAT WE ADVISED AGAINST ASKING THE GOI DURING LORD BRABAZON'S VISIT TO INDIA IN FEBRUARY TO GIVE ENTRY CLEARANCES OR CITIZENSHIP TO 3,000 -CDD HONG KONG CITIZENS OF INDIAN ORIGIN (NEW TELNO TELNO 130). LORD BRABAZON DID NOT RAISE THIS.

BUT NOW THAT PRESIDENT VENKATARAMAN HAS RAISED IT HIMSELF, THERE IS PERHAPS A SLIGHT BETTER CHANCE OF A SYMPATHETIC INDIAN RESPONSE, AND THIS QUESTION MAY THEREFORE BEAR LOOKING AT AGAIN.

3. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT WHEN HE CALLED ON V P SINGH MR

KAUFMAN SAID THAT A LABOUR GOVERNMENT WOULD AIM TO GIVE UK RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH

THE MAJORITY ARE INDIAN.

4. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO TAKE THIS FORWARD, I SUGGEST THAT YOU ALSO CONSULT THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WHILE HE IS IN THE DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK BEFORE SENDING US ANY INSTRUCTIONS.

SIGNED S J L WRIGHT

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