TNAG-2183-FCO40-3120-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 94

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D

into what we call "international support", whereas an

to immigration safety net would be what we would hope m mobilise

in the event of the "Armageddon scenario".

4. The attached cutting from today's Daily Telegraph, perceptively highlights the risk that the Morrison scheme, may simply increase emigration from Hong Kong. This is a

serious risk. US immigration policy tends to give priority

to family reunion applications rather than to people who meet skill shortages in the USA. (There is in fact a very long waiting list for family reunion cases in Hong Kong.) The sort of people who tend to get visas most easily are

those most likely to leave. (On the other hand they are not

so likely to be key personnel.)

E 5. Hong Kong have expressed concern about this (HK telno

2421). They suggested to the US Consulate General that a

rolling ten year period for successful applicants to decide

when to leave would be preferable to the fixed deferral period ending in 2002. The Consulate undertook to pass this

idea to Washington and to try to reflect it in the House

hearing in September. It would appear that they were

unsuccessful. It remains to be seen whether the

Administration have really taken this problem on board.

6.

It might be worth seeking Hong Kong's views on whether

Hạng Hàng s to ask Washington to mention the idea to the Adminstration

again in time for the Senate/House conference next week.

Thorin

JC Morris

POPAGA/2

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