TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 142

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CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS (PARA 6 OF TUR). IF THE BILL IS ADOPTED IT WILL BE REFERRED TO A SENATE/HOUSE CONFERENCE TO BE RECONCILED WITH THE KENNEDY/SIMPSON (SENATE) BILL (WHOSE ONLY SPECIFIC PROVISION FOR HONG KONG IS TO INCREASE THE QUOTA

TO 10,000) MORRISON SEEMS DETERMINED TO PRESS HIS BILL, PARTLY PERHAPS BECAUSE HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AFTER THIS YEAR.

COMMENT

6.

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ALTHOUGH THE PROVISION THAT VISAS CAN ONLY BE HELD UNTIL 2002 MAY NOT BE IDEAL, IT COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ANYTHING BROADER THROUGH CONGRESS. THE PROVISION IS A UNIQUE EXCEPTION IN US IMMIGRATION LAW AN AREA WHERE THERE IS MUCH CONCERN ABOUT NOT SETTING AN UNWELCOME PRECEDENT. MORRISON'S STAFFERS, WITH WHOM WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS, HAVE CAUTIONED AGAINST TRYING TO UNPICK THE PROVISION FOR FEAR OF LOSING THE OTHER HONG KONG ELEMENTS.

7. THE MORRISON BILL HAS DONE WELL TO GET THIS FAR: IT PROPOSES MAJOR CHANGES TO US IMMIGRATION LAW AND HAS BEEN CRITICISED ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT PANDERS TO TOO MANY INTEREST GROUPS. THE FINAL SHAPE OF ANY LEGISLATION WILL DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF EFFORTS TO RECONCILE THE MORRISON BILL WITH THE SENATE BILL. THERE IS UNDOUBTED SYMPATHY IN THE HOUSE FOR HONG KONG WHICH WILL HELP THE CHANCES OF RETAINING THE HONG KONG PROVISIONS IN SOME FORM IN THE ANY FUTURE LEGISLATION.

ACLAND

FCO PLEASE PASS HKGO LONDON

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MR MCLAREN

MR BURNS