TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 95

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TO TELELETTER FCO

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FROM S J L WRIGHT, NEW DELHI

TO: D J FITTON ESQ, SAD, FCO

HONG KONG

30

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

1 WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTS HERE THAT DURIS STATE VISIT PRESIDENT VENKATARAMAN EXPRESSED ANXIETY ABOUT THE POSITION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN IN HONG KONG.

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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 -ODD 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, IS PERHAPS A SLIGHTLY BETTER CHANCE OF A SYMPATHETIC INDIAN RESPONSE, AND THIS QUESTION MAY THEREFORE BEAR LOOKING AT AGAIN.

3.

THERE

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.

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.

4.

SIGNED SJL WRIGHT

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