TNAG-2746-FCO40-3961-Visits-by-Chris-Patten--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-UK-1993 — Page 38

bgrnd.cole.NAT

JEB

CONFIDENTIAL

2. Visas for Hong Kong People

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EC/Schengen

Disappointing to learn that Schengen Convention (SC)

countries include Hong Kong on their Common Visas List (CVL) .

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Share your concern to equalise treatment of Hong Kong BDTCs

and BN (0)s upwards rather than downwards. We will certainly lobby to obtain this. We have submitted to Ministers on how

best to do this and to urge SC countries to preserve visa free access for Hong Kong.

Question of EC CVL under Maastricht majority vote extremely complex issue. Are exploring between FCO Departments and

Legal Advisers how to defend Hong Kong's position. Seems to

us that until 1997 Hong Kong cannot be considered a "third

country" under the terms of Maastricht Article 100C. Thereafter more problematic.

Defence Lands

Seems to be a chance of progress at the expert meeting in September. Indications that Chinese thinking in terms of clinching a deal by the end of the year. Seems likely that Hong Kong opinion will respond better to the kind of deal we are likely to achieve if we can secure Chinese PLA agreement to hand back any surplus land. (If JLG agreement difficult on

this, may wish to elevate to SofS/Qian level?)

Garrison Withdrawal

Understand your problems with Treasury wish to disband the Gurkha battalion earlier than proposed. MoD still costing this proposal. But we are on strong ground as it runs counter to the aims of the revised withdrawal plan.

developments closely.

Will monitor

CONFIDENTIAL