TNAG-2405-FCO40-3492-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1992 — Page 66

CODE 18-77

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Reference..

pra HKA 062/2

Assistants in all Geographical Departments

KRR its.

xbe 44

Mr Marshall

Youy I thits.

Mr Wome

Presumably HK

w'd want to te Confullsed showe

EMERGENCY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES

ns

16/10

Hem?

TO OVERFLY/STOPOVER IN THE UK OR DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ask

1. We recently received at 4am a request for dipclear for South African plane to stopover at Ascension Island. The request highlighted the need to review our procedures for emergency requests for dipclear for aircraft coming to either the UK or our Dependent Territories.

2.

All dipclear requests normally go first to the MOD who keep a list of sensitive countries (drafted by the FCO) on which they consult the FCO for clearance. In office hours I obtain clearance by consulting the desk officer for that country and if necessary the DT concerned. Out of hours the procedure up until now has been roughly the same. However to avoid people being disturbed at home I hope to agree a procedure with the MOD where automatic clearance is given for emergency dipclear requests to overfly/stopover in the UK and our DT's: the MOD will be given a list of countries that do not qualify for automatic clearance, ie. a country's abscence from the list will imply approval. A copy of the list would also go to the FCO Resident Clerk. It would mention, where necessary, any special circumstances for refusal, eg. if the aircraft is carrying weapons.

3.

[157.

Could you please let me know by 28 October whether you are content for the countries in your department to be given automatic clearance or whether they should appear on the list and under what conditions.

Kale Soume

Kate Bourne

Non-Proliferation and Defence Department

K429

270-3144

cc: Resident Clerk (for inclusion in the Standard Procedures)

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