CODE 18-77
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negotiations over Macau both sides acted realistically and showed a desire to reach an agreement. "The Chinese have a position of principle over Macau, but they also recognise the weight of history. Macau is a problem bequeathed by history. The admission of this fact by both sides is fundamental. We cannot modify the Chinese position of principle, nor can the Chinese deny the historical fact. Having admitted this
fact what we then had to achieve was the pledge (written agreement?) /compromisso 7 by both sides that there would never be a unilateral initiative to change the status quo, nor any other method of tackling the problem aside from negotiation, at a time deemed suitable by both sides"
21.
CM saw this arrangement as a means of maintaining the status quo after the establishment of diplomatic relations.
22.
When asked how he saw this arrangement in relation to the initial Chinese position at the opening of the negotiations, CM replied that he regarded it as "the reduction of the pre- existing problem questão previa 7 to the preliminary recognition of the materiality of the problem, the Chinese position and the historical fact. This made it possible for us to deal with the problem of diplomatic relations by itself, and with the conduct of these relations, without any kind of reserve or limitation, to our mutual advantage"
23. When asked whether there was any public proof that it had been possible to deal with the problem of diplomatic relations by itself, CM replied that this was proved by the official communique in which the problem of Macau was not referred to either directly or indirectly, explicitly or implicitly.
24. CM agreed that other problems were dealt with during the negotiations, but said that these were not peculiar to Portugal. They were resolved in the same way as in other cases in which China prepared for the opening of diplomatic relations with a Western country.
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25. CM insists that the agreement signed in February 1979 differed from that arrived at in mid 1978 only in a few words and commas. The substance and apart from these small details the form, were perfectly identical. These miniscule differences did not confer any advantage on the Portuguese, or on the Chinese. This made Tempo's accusations all the more ridiculous. The agreement was approved in substance and in form by three successive Portuguese governments.
26. When asked to comment on the Chinese position of principle on Macau, CM replied that: "This position of principle is unalterable. Our actions relating to Macau should be governed by realism and tact, in the sense of preserving the cultural fact of Macau, in the present, in the future and after any changes which may arise. Macau is clearly a monument to Luso-Chinese history. It must be used as an effective contribution to the development and tightening of Luso-Chinese
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