Annex A
Letter from the Foreign Secretary to Hon
Anil Gayan, Foreign Minister of Mauritius[25]
Thank you for your letter of 19 November about
our recent travel advice for Mauritius.
As you recognise, we are under a legal obligation
to give our nationals the most accurate and up-to-date advice
that we can. Our travel advice is regularly revised and we do
our best to ensure that it accurately reflects the situation in
each country.
The Bali bombing left us all shocked and stunned.
But it brought home that tourists, wherever they are in the world,
need to be aware of the potential dangers of terrorism, and that
terrorists can strike anywhere, at any time. It would be wrong
of us, and we would be failing in our duty to our nationals, if
we did not make this clear to them.
Our advice does not single out Mauritius as
such, and says that we are not aware of any specific threat to
British nationals in Mauritius. But it rightly points out that
the potential threat to tourist destinations worldwide, has increased,
which includes Mauritius. Our travel advice for other tourist
destinations has been amended similarly to reflect the need for
vigilance worldwide.
I am grateful for your assurance that you are
taking security measures to guarantee the safety of tourists and
foreign nationals in Mauritius.
I am glad that we are lifting our visa regime
on Mauritius, which will take effect from 18 December. Although
some categories of traveller will still require prior entry clearance
to UK, for example those applying for settlement or working holidaymakers,
it will now be easier for Mauritian nationals to visit the United
Kingdom.
Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
29 November 2002
25 See also Ev 137, letter from Hon Anil Gayan to
the Foreign Secretary. Back
| 
