TNAG-0035-FCO40-71-Relations-with-Macao-1968 — Page 31

MA. DE LA MAKE

COMPIDENTIAL

462

G2

H.M. Consulate in Maone

「

Probles

At the height of anti-British demonstrations in Xaono when it was clear that the Portuguese authorities ware neither willing nor able to afford protection, H.k. Consul and his

aff were withdrawn. The post has been temporarily closed

since then. We now have to consider whether the Consulate

in Bueno should be closed permanently and how to ramova to Hong Kong the official and personal property in the Consulate.

kecommendation

2.

1 recommend that we should:

decide in principle to close the Baoao Consulate

(b) make no samcuncement of the closure for the time

being, nor inform the Portuguese authorities of

our intention, ner terminate the leases to our

buildings;

(e) ask the Portuguese authorities through their Ambassador

here to help us to remove our remaining files,

Gestos personal effects and stores to Hong Kongi

(8) pay off the local staff employed at the Consulate

as from 1 August.

3. I attach a draft telegram to Lisbon and llong Kong with

*** which Consular, Jecurity, 8. à 0., Accommodation and Central Departments and the Commonwealth Offies (D.Z.D.) concur.

Argument

4. After naveral days of Communist-organised anti-British demonstrations, H.K. Consul and his staff were withdrawn from Bacao on 25 May. It was quite clear that the Portuguese authorities were both unwilling and incapable of giving adequate protection to the Consul and his staff. the local

/staff

CONFIDENT YAL