TNAG-1626-FCO40-2240-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1987 — Page 101

CONTACTS WITH THE PORTUGUESE

4. IN MY TELNO 4154 OF 16 DECEMBER 1986 I COMMENTED ON THE NEED FOR

CAUTION IN GETTING INTO TOO CLOSE A DIALOGUE WITH THE PORTUGUESE

WHILE THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE IN PROGRESS. WE SHALL STILL NEED TO BE

PRUDENT NOW THAT THE SINO-PORTUGUESE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED.

WE MUST NOT AROUSE CHINESE SUSPICIONS DURING ANY JLG TYPE DISCUSS-

IONS WHICH THEY HAVE UNDER THEIR JOINT DECLARATION. AT THE SAME TIME

IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH WHAT IS GOING ON.

I SUSPECT THAT MOST RELIABLE INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LISBON

AND I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THE EMBASSY THERE COULD FIND OUT AS

MUCH AS POSSIBLE OVER THE MONTHS AHEAD.

5. AS REGARDS OUR CONTACTS WITH MACAU, THE PORTUGUESE CONSULATE-

GENERAL HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE IF TWO

MACAU OFFICIALS COULD VISIT SOON TO DISCUSS PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

(SEE PARA 3 OF MY TELNO 4154). I PROPOSE TO AGREE TO THIS AND SEE

NO REASON WHY WE SHOULD NOT SIMILARLY SUPPLY THE MACAU GOVERNMENT

WITH FACTUAL INFORMATION WHEN THEY REQUEST IT. HOWEVER THE CHINESE

WILL CERTAINLY FIND OUT ABOUT SUCH CONTACTS. IN ORDER TO AVOID

MISUNDERSTANDING, I PROPOSE THAT WE EXLAIN TO THEM WHAT WE ARE

DOING THROUGH THE PA/NCNA CHANNEL.

6. IT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL FOR US TO KEEP UP REGULAR THOUGH NOT

INTENSIVE CONTACTS WITH THE MACAU GOVERNMENT. I HAD BEEN DUE TO

GIVE THE GOVERNOR A LUNCH THIS MONTH BUT THAT HAS BEEN PUT OFF BY

HIS DEPARTURE FOR PORTUGAL. WE DO NOT KNOW WHETHER HE WILL IN

ACT RESIGN, AS NEWSPAPER SPECULATION HAS IT. SIR DAVID WILSON WILL

WISH TO CONSIDER AFTER HIS ARRIVAL WHEN TO REACTIVATE CONTACT

AT GOVERNOR LEVEL. MEANWHILE BOTH THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE

POLITICAL ADVISER WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE CONTACT

WITH THEIR OPPOSITE NUMBERS IN MACAU.

AKERS-JONES

YYYY

HMLNAN 0605

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH D. (FE)

DEP.HD/PUSD

PS/MR RENTON

HO/SED.

HANTA

HONENS D MR GILLMORE

-2-

COPIES TO:

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

CONFIDENTIAL