TNAG-2201-FCO40-3156-Hong-Kong-nationality-1990 — Page 45

Note for File

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Reference..

Mr

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HACD 3460-MI|s

340711

RECEIVED

REGISTRY

2 6 JUN 1990

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DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

CONVENIENCE PASSPORTS

Panamian Passports

1.

In October 1989 Panama City telexed Hong Kong informing them that the number of visas issued in Panama City for Hong Kong was continuing to rise over those issued the previous year. Of most concern were the number of persons born in China who now held Panamanian passports applying for Hong Kong visas. Panamanian passports, all brand new, with matching residence permits, appeared to have been issued in dubious circumstances. Normally, the time taken to acquire Panamanian nationality is 4-5 years, although it is possible to shorten the circuit by a cash payment to the right local official. Thus there was no question of the passports not being genuine, having been issued by the local authority. The US Embassy were concerned as the travel pattern was generally Panama/Los Angeles/Hong Kong with the return leg left open. Three recent cases encountered by the US Immigration confirmed the suspicion that the (Panamanian) passports had been obtained irregularly.

2.

In January 1990 a new Director of Immigration asked the Embassy in Panama City for cooperation in helping to solve the problem of the illegal Chinese community in Panama. The Noriega regime had allowed large numbers of PRC nationals to enter Panama (via Hong Kong) in return for large sums of money. Panamanian passports had been issued for further payment, The new Panamanian Government (with the encouragement of US) wishes to persuade as many of these as possible to leave Panama. The Chinese community in Panama numbered between 9-11,000; it is thought that about 3,000 wish to leave. The Director of Immigration was informed that neither Hong Kong nor the UK were options for settlement. Hong Kong Immigration advised Panama City not (not) to issue transit visas to these people. Return to China could be arranged by another route. Alternatively they could pass through Hong Kong without presenting themselves for immigration clearance if they remained airside. It was questioned as to whether these passports were still considered to be valid by the new Panamanian Government. Panama City replied that, the present government recognised genuine passports issued by the former regime. This recognition was to include passports bought or otherwise obtained. Advice was sought from the Immigration Service in Croydon, who consulted UNHCR as to whether the Panamanian Government was in a position to accept asylum applications from Chinese nationals resident in that country. It transpired that the issue was raised with the Vice President and the with the Minister of the Interior during the UNHCR's last mission to Panama. The representatives from the

CODE 18-77

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