TNAG-2964-FCO40-4243-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Consular-representation-of-European-Coun-1993 — Page 48

CODE 18-77

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Morris,

HKD

Mr Morris

10

HONG KONG TELNO 93:

1.

Mr. Ferguson.

Reference

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paragraph 4 of Sweency's letter to.

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RUSSIAN CONSULATE IN HONG KONG

TUR seeks approval for Hong Kong to impose a ceiling on Russian Consulate staff following the establishment of the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong.

2.

22/1

We are strongly of the view that imposing a ceiling in Hong Kong would be wrong when we are close to agreement with the

It would give Russians about abolishing the ceiling in the UK. a highly unfriendly signal, thoroughly out of keeping with the rest of our relations, and seen from here, have little cause.

On the substance of the security issues, two points seem relevant:

3.

4.

It

the same Russian resource problems which have in effect made the UK ceiling redundant will apply in Hong Kong. is highly improbable that the Russians will send an extravagant number of consular staff to a new and expensive Hong Kong post. Setting a ceiling from scratch would pose a delicate problem of deciding how many people the Russians could reasonably send and then trying to make sure that our chosen number would still squeeze out undesirables. (I am not sure that this could be done.)

- the security threat to Hong Kong interests from the Russians is surely tiny compared with that from China, on whom we do not impose a ceiling (and who I believe have some 30,000 officials in HK).

We suggest that Hong Kong be advised not to impose a ceiling. I attach a draft reply.

Двует

G D Fergusson

Eastern Department

270-3832

W87

CC: Mr Gay, PUSD 21 January 1993

Ако доб/5

acru

INDL

C IN REGISTRY

2 5 JAN 1993

OFFICER

REGISTRY

Action Taken