TNAG-0641-FCO40-789-Discussions-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macao-for-proposed-constru-1977 — Page 44

CODE 18-77

Mr Boon

M&GD

Fir Fell SED

Mr Orr

FED

SECRET

Reference......

Separate copies to each 7

PROPOSED AIRPORT AT MACAU

1.

Ry Enter, bu

1314

%

RECEIVED IN REY Ne. #1

4 APR 1977

HKK 182 412/1

FED and SED will already have seen Mr Lello's letter of 29 March to Mr Boon M&GD. Attached (for all the recipients of this minute) is a copy of Mr Fenn's letter of 28 March to Mr Milton of this Department.

2.

Mr Fell and I have some misgivings about the draft Note enclosed with Mr Lello's letter. They are as follows:

2.

b.

we think that the precise way in which the construction of an international airport at Macau would have an impact upon the latter is not a matter on which HMG should comment; and

too precise a statement of the Hong Kong Government's intention (which is not as yet formulated) to buil3 a second airport in Hong Kong could only spur on the authorities at Macau to present their own project as being of help to Hong Kong.

10

I attach a redraft of the Note which I hope takes these two factors into account.

3. It also takes into account the point brought out in Mr Fenn's letter to the effect that the Chinese are unlikely to be sympathetic to a proposal to build an international airport at Macau. I hope that the final sentence of my draft will cause Colonel Leandro's project to founder in the Pearl River rather than in Victoria Harbour.

4. I would be grateful for your views on the draft as soon as possible. Perhaps M&GD could seck Mr Lello's and Mr Gardner's, I attach two further copies of Mr Fenn's letter and my draft Note for this purpose.

1 April 1977

T J David

Hong Kong Department