TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 77

CONFIDENTIAL

Background

1. When Mr Maude met the Chief Minister in January this year, Mr Bossano stated that Gibraltar would be willing to offer the right of residence to a selective number of Hong

Kong people. Mr Maude pointed out that the purpose of the

Nationality Scheme was to encourage people to remain in Hong

Kong. Mr Bossano accepted this point. It is still,

however, Gibraltar's basic intention to attract investment

and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong. Although we cannot close off these avenues to Hong Kong people seeking to make their

own arrangements, we should not be seen to condone any

"cherry picking".

2. Mr Bossano asked if it was possible to include Gibraltar in the Act, but it was pointed out that it would be too difficult to do this in what was already complicated

legislation. It was later confirmed that Gibraltar could take the required action unilaterally through its own

immigration regulations.

3. If the Gibraltar scheme does indeed grant residency

without the requirement to emigrate from Hong Kong, then

their action is welcome and falls into line with the action

being taken by several other countries.

FABAMX/1

CONFIDENTIAL