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165377
MDTTAN 9808
INDIRECT ELECTIONS. PEOPLE I SPOKE TO, INCLUDING 2 ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, WERE VAGUE ON THE CHANGES AND I DID NOT SEE D'ASSUMPCAO FOR MORE DETAIL.
4. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IS THE ABSENCE OF
ANY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION. ASSEMBLY AND ADMINISTRATION IS
EFFECTIVELY SEPARATED: ON THE ONE HAND PORTUGUESE OFFICIALS CREATE LAWS IN PORTUGUESE, AND ON THE OTHER CHINESE MEMBERS (VERY FEW OF WHOM UNDERSTAND PORTUGUESE) COMPETE IN ELECTIONS. THE HONG
KONG PRESS OCCASIONALLY POINTS TO MACAU'S DEMOCRACY IN THE
SENSE THAT THIRD OF THE ASSEMBLY IS DIRECTLY ELECTED BUT THE
MACANESE THEMSELVES KNOW IT IS ALL A BIT OF A NONSENSE AND
(DON'T) VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
SIGNED: GRAHAM.
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