The Cabinet directive of May 9, 1950, and a subsequent modification, provided that travel documents may only be given to Canadian dual nationals in Yugoslavia whose return to Canada would not be contrary to the public interest.¹ This policy has resulted in great administrative difficulties and for months past the Legation at Belgrade has been over-taxed in screening applicants and trying to determine whether or not they have recanted their former Communist faith. In many cases, it has been virtually impossible for the Legation to reach any firm conclusion.

2. The difficulties have recently been accentuated by an apparent modification of Yugoslav policy whereby exit permits which formerly were only rarely granted are now being given somewhat more freely. Up to now, we have been able to make a more or less stock reply to enquiries from relatives in Canada, basing ourselves on the unwillingness of the Yugoslav Government to cooperate. It is evident, however, that we cannot continue to do so and will sooner rather than later have to admit that it is not the Yugoslav Government but the Canadian Government which is prevent­ing the return of the people concerned.

3. A further difficulty arises from the fact that the United States and the United Kingdom are treating their nationals in Yugoslavia primarily as their own citizens irrespective of whether or not they are dual nationals in law.

4. As the Canadian Citizenship Act stands, and under any foreseeable amend­ment, there is no prospect of any of these persons being deprived of their citizen­ship during the next two years, or of natural-born citizens losing their Canadian status.

5. From the security standpoint the risk involved in the readmission of these peo­ple may be regarded as being of minor degree.

6. It is concluded therefore that the balance of advantage lies in adhering to the generally recognized principle of treating dual nationals like all other citizens by granting them travel documents to permit them to leave the country of other nation­ality to return to Canada. Approval of this policy, however, would not preclude reference to Cabinet for authority to refuse travel documents in exceptional cases where the security risks involved were known to warrant such action.

7. This memorandum has been concurred in by all the interested divisions of the department, i.e., European, Consular and Defence Liaison (2).²

A.D.P. H[EENEY]

¹Voir/See Volume 16, Document 1003.

² Note marginale :/Marginal note:
Minister
(a) can Yug[oslav] govt facilitate surrender of Yug[oslav] citizenship?
(b) can we have assurances that Immig[ration] will admit?
(c) has Cdn Leg[ation], Belgrade all available info[rmation] re Communist activity in Canada?
(d) meantime permit entry (subject to b) unless security info[rmation] con A.D.P.H[eeney] Feb 5