CMFIDENTIAL
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classified beeret, a aumber of files, recent Intels and Guidsnes telegrama elassified up to Confidential, and the personal belongings of the Consulate staff.
Such an
announcement might also be taken as indiesting that we were intending to withdraw from the area and have a bad affect on publie confidence in Hong Kong.
ence in Hong Kong. In answer to my questions by the prose we could soutimus te aay that a decizion about the future of the post would be taken when conditions improved, Yeanwhile, we had paid off the locally engaged Consulate staff.
8. There is also the important question of how to retrieva the files and other possessions from the Consulate. Hong Kong have agreed to provide two officers to go to Kanno te collect the files but are understandably reluctant to send them unless the Fortuguese guarentee their safety. #ben Er. Hodgere sew the Portuguese Ambassador on 8 Juma to pro- test against the Fortugnase failure to provide adequate protection for our Consulate, the Ambassador elained full protection had been given. The Portuguese
The Portuguese Foreign Minister alne made a publie statement to the same effect. Mr. Rodgere hes suggested that we should take the Portuguese at their word and ask them to help us to transfor our files and other stores from our Consulate in Masao to Hong Kong,
Hong Kong. I agree that wa should see if this will works the Kacao Government have managed to extract and send the records of the Fermit Office to Hong Kong (Hong Long telegram No. 944) and may be able to help us to get out our Cansular files and property. We have just heard (Lisbon Saving telegram No. 17) that the Portuguese Ambassador has been instructed to call to explain that they gave Hr. Ions as much protection as they could. fe can take the opportunity of him call to discuss with him the measures
we would like his Government to take to secure the safe
removal of our remaining property in Kaoso.
Keanwhile, Hong Kong need to know what we have decided about the future of the Consulate. I think therefore we should telegraph without awaiting the Ambassador's call.
/10.
C EVIDENTIAL