TNAG-0035-FCO40-71-Relations-with-Macao-1968 — Page 20

Cypher/Cat.A

CONFIDENTIAL

IMMEDIATE

HONG KONG

ΤΟ

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Telno. 1274

21 August 1967

LAST

REF.

NEXI

REF.

PA:

CONFIDENTIAL

100

TOP COPY

(DIT.D)

Addressed Commonwealth Office telegram No. 1274

of 21 August. Repeated for information to Lisbon,

NUB 3/31

The Assistant Political Adviser and two language students visited Macao on the night of 17/18 August and, assisted by Amorim, the Macao Chief Inspector of lumigration (who has all along proved the most helpful member of the Macao Government) retrieved seven bags cf classified material and other material in the strongroom, This, at quick glance, seemed not very important but as it was in the strongroom, we propose to retrieve it as soon as possible. The material already retrieved is being examined and unless you object, will be disposed of largely by destruction, or where appropriate by passing on to Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Government. As little as possible will be retained. A full report follows by bag.

2.

We should now like, in the next few days:

(a) To warn the Consulate staff now staying in Hong Kong that they will "almost certainly" be dismissed at the end of the month and indicate their severance terms;

(b) To intimate informally and in confidence to the Macao Government that the Consulate will be closed (the formal communication will presumably be made in London).

below).

Grateful for your urgent concurrence (see paragraph 4

30 As to the future, we are making recommendations by the next bag, but in brief, they are that:

(a) Immigration Department here cope with all visa and passport matters (this has already been agreed with Passport Control Department);

(b) The British Trade Commission deal with trade matters (it already supervises them);

(c) The Political Adviser's Office deal with reporting on Macao political matters (in which it in any case has a considerable interest).

4. As of 18 August no attempt has been made by the Macao Government to remove the cars or personal effects of the Consul and Vice Consul. They may have been waiting for us to get the confidential material away first. If however there is no sign of action by 24 August we shall prod them. This would be a

23.867

CONFIDENTI AL

/suitable