SUBMISSION

CIATION OF VA

32

inisters decided on the 17th January to sosede to

request

from the Portuguese Govɛrisont

provide tranzit facilities through

Hong Kong for civilian

·tuguese

ationals evacuated fros kasno.

Flas

The Portuguese Coverment has been so informed, and detailed arrange-

ments are now being settled in long Tong between

ortuguese Consul-General,

authorities there

2. The British Ambassador in Lisbon has suggested (Lisbon telegram

Fo.27) that, although no request has been received from the ¡ortuguese

in regard to military persormal (numbering about 1,000), consideration

should be given to accepting Portuguese coldiers without their arms

if the need arises and there is no other avenue of esenpe. He adds

same most unlikely that the Portuguesə (overment would order

sny form of military resistance to the Chinese.

1+

3. A Portuguese troopship (the "TIMOR") is in liang Konɛ at the

present timo. Har enpaalty is 443 passengers on a long voyage but

she could take many sore on her de

hørever only lie off

Kaos in Chinese-claimed waters and has to be londed (as is her

normal practise) by lighter or launch. This should not present

insuperable difficultie

Chingue not wi to interfere with

the departure of military personnel.

Te do not think we shoul: volunteer any facilities for military

personnel at this sta

involve ourselves na little si

possible in the Kacao dispute because of possible repercussions on

Hong Hong. We may, however, be faqad with a situation in which

zilitary personnel joing the exodus from seno at some point.

5. The Governor of liong Konɛ (vhoş ve have consulted) propaacs, in

agreement with the Commander of British Porous in liọng Kong. thei

nilitary personnel who make their sky to liong Kong should be rescived,

accommodated in military caps under militar, arrangements and

supervision, and (where necouscry) disarzed

-

the F

/overmat

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