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4. NOR DO WE THINK THAT WE CAN TAKE THE LEAD IN URGING THE PROTUGUESE TO TIGHTEN UP ON MEASURES TO PREVENT THE CORRUPT ISSUE OF PORTUGUESE PASSPORTS. OF COURSE, IF THE MACANESE AUTHORITIES SOUGHT THE HELP OF OUR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN INVESTIGATING IRREGULARITIES OR STAMPING OUT CORRUPT PRACTICES, WE WILL CO-OPERATE IN THE USUAL WAY.
5. IT COULD WELL BE THEREFORE THAT EXCO WILL TAKE THE VIEW THAT THE TIME MAY HAVE COME FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT THAT THE SITUATION HAS BEEN CLARIFIED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE: THAT THE OPPORTUNITY OF FINDING A SOLUTION DURING THE ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS IS PAST, AND THAT THE QUESTION OF PORTUGUESE NATIONALS' ACCESS TO THE EC IS NOW A MATTER BETWEEN THE EC (INCLUDING THE UK) AND THE PORTUGUESE. I SHALL CONSULT EXCO AGAIN AT ITS MEETING ON 10 SEPTEMBER AND LET YOU KNOW THIER VIEWS
A: DPA
D: HE,CS,PA,S(GD)(5), SforS,PAS(GD)1, DofIMM (3), PS/GH,DIS
kdt
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