TNAG-2815-FCO40-4061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1993 — Page 176

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DISCUSS THEM WITH THE CHINESE. WE BELIEVE THE ISSUING OF VISAS IS A

FORM OF IMMIGRATION CONTROL WITHIN THE SARG'S AUTONOMY AS PROVIDED IN JD 166 AND BL 154 (ALTHOUGH THE SARG WILL PRESUMABLY NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE DIPLOMATIC VISAS). HOWEVER, WE SEE LITTLE PROSPECT OF CHINESE AGREEMENT TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GIVING AN ASSURANCE ON THIS ON BEHALF OF THE FUTURE SARG. THEY ARE LIKELY TO INSIST THAT SUCH AN ASSURANCE WILL HAVE TO BE CONVEYED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. SINCE OUR PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IN THIS CASE IS TO AGREE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE ON THE WAY FORWARD, WE SEE LITTLE ADVANTAGE TO BE GAINED IN MAKING AN ISSUE OF VISA ASSURANCES.

PATTEN

YYYY

ADVANCE

12

.MONETARY

MR CROWE

MR BONE

ERD//HD

ECD (E) //HD

HKD//HD

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

12

CAOFF//MR FITCHEW

HMT//MR MORTIMER

HMT//MR P N SEDGEWICK

BANKE//MISS BULLOCH

BANKE//MR LATTER

RESIDENT CLERK

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