TNAG-0035-FCO40-71-Relations-with-Macao-1968 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63

CYPHER/CAT A

PRITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO LISBON

TELNO 621 9 JUNE, 1967 (F)

CONFIDENTIAL

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HUA 3/3

COPY FOR REGISTRATION

ADDRESSED TO LISBON TELEGRAM NO.621 OF 9 JUNE REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO PEKING AND HONG KONG.

MACAO.

MR.

RODGERS ASKED THE PORTUGUESE AMBASSADOR TO CALL ON 8 JUNE,

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2. AFTER DESCRIBING THE COURSE OF EVENTS AFFECTING H.M. CONSUL IN MACAO, MR. RODGERS SAID THAT THE PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES HAD MADE NO EFFECTIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT HIM DURING THE DISTURBANCES. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAD ASKED HIM TO EXPRESS TO THE AMBASSADOR H.M.G.'S STRONG DISPLEASURE AT THE FAILURE OF THE PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES IN MACAO TO PROTECT H.M. CONSULATE AND ITS STAFF, AND TO ASK HIM TO TRANSMIT TO HIS GOVERNMENT A FORMAL REQUEST THAT THEY TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO PROTECT H.M.G. 'S OFFICIAL PREMISES IN MACAO.

3. THE AMBASSADOR SAID THAT HE COULD NOT AGREE THAT THIS WAS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE OF EVENTS: PROTECTION HAD NEVER BEEN REFUSED TO THE CONSUL WHEN IT HAD BEEN ASKED FOR AND THE PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES HAD ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT. IT WAS HIS OWN CHOICE TO FACE THE DEMONSTRATIONS AND HE HAD NEVER BEEN HARMED. HE HAD NOT SATISFACTORILY INFORMED THE PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES OF HIS MOVEMENTS IN MACAO.

4.

MR ROGERS SAID HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THE AMBASSADOR SHOULD FEEL HAPPY THAT IONS HAD HAD TO RECEIVE SUCH TREATMENT. WHILE WE UNDERSTOOD THE PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES' DIFFICULTIES IN MACAO WE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY HAD GIVEN IONS PROPER PROTECTION. THE AMBASSADOR WOULD EXPECT SUCH PROTECTION FROM H.M.G. IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THIS COUNTRY, MR ROGERS FINALLY ASKED HIM WHETHER SHOULD H.M. CONSUL RETURN TO MACAO, HE COULD GUARANTEE THAT ADEQUATE PROTECTION WOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO HIM.

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