TNAG-0035-FCO40-71-Relations-with-Macao-1968 — Page 158

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MACAO

Talking Points

1. The Governor of Hong Kong spoke on 18 January to your

Consul-General and told him that we had agreed to provide

transit facilities for Portuguese civilian nationals from

Macao. They are now discussing in Hong Kong Petails of the

necessary arrangements. We agree with you that this is now

the beat way to proceed.

2.

The Governor agrees th t, at this stage, there is no need

to make a public announce ent and that he can deal with press

enquiries on the general lines you suggested. It may, however,

not be possible to conceal that your authorities will be paying

for accommodation. Also, the physical preparations as opposed

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to planning would still have to be restricted. However, in

I understand, view of the considerable numbers of Hacao residents (including) 770 Portuguese nations 1s) who have already arrived in Hong

Kong, making their own arrangements, the size of the problem

has been reduced.

3. On transport from Macao to Hong Kong, the Governor has

given us the following more detailed information. Only vessels

of shallow draught can put into Macso harbour because it is

silted. The four ferries on the regular service are much

the largest vessels that can put in here. Their total

passenger capacity in normal circumstances is 4,307, quite

sufficient to deal with the estim ted number of evacuees.

The Hong Kong Government has no vessels currently at its disposal except for small launches which would add little to

the carrying capacity of the ferries. If your Governrent

/consider

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