RESTRICTED
SYMPATHY FOR THE PROBLEMS MACAU FACED WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN A MUCH SMALLER AREA THAN HONG KONG. HOWEVER, THE KEY TO THE PROBLEM WAS CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE WHEREBY REFUGEES ALREADY SETTLED IN CHINA THOUGH THAT THEY COULD ESCAPE BEING IDENTIFIED IN MACAU.
5. CATARINO MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER WAS AN IDEA RAISED BY THE UNHCR OFFICE IN MACAU AND NOT BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE UNHCR HEADQUARTERS MAY ALREADY HAVE APPRECIATED THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF OUR AGREEING TO THE PROPOSALL.
FCO PASS SAVING ADDRESSEES
MACLEHOSE
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
[THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]
FILES SEAD
HK & GD
UND
FED
ECD
PUSD
OID
IPD
NEWS D MAED
PS PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER PS/MR RIDLEY PS/PUS
SIR D MAITLAND
MR MURRAY
MR STRATTON
LORD NG LENNOX
ADDITIONAL DISTN.
BOAT PEOPLE
COPY TO:
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE, LONDON
MR RUSHFORD (LEGAL ADV.)
2
RESTRICTED