TNAG-0641-FCO40-789-Discussions-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macao-for-proposed-constru-1977 — Page 56

CONFIDENTIAL

Draft Note to the Portuguese Ambassador

from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State

for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs presents his compliments

to His Excellency the Portuguese Ambassador and with reference

to his Embassy's memorandum of 18th November 1976 concerning

the Government of Macau's proposal to build an international

airport, has the honour to state that in the view of the

British Government, the construction of such an airport is

primarily a domestic matter for Macau. Until the attitude

of the Government of the People's Republic of China towards

this proposal is clear, it would, however, be premature to

hold any technical discussions involving the Hong Kong

authorities.

The Secretary of State avails himself of this

opportunity to express to the Ambassador the assurances

of his highest consideration.

CONFIDENTIAL