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HAS HAD SOME DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS.) HE EXPECTED TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS, PERHAPS BY POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS.
BRAIN DRAIN
10. NABO SAID THAT IN MACAU THIS WAS NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT TO NORTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA OR EVEN PORTUGAL. (COMMENT: PERHAPS BECAUSE SO MANY HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACQUIRE A PORTUGUESE PASSPORT AND THUS FEEL CONFIDENT TO STAY.) THERE WAS HOWEVER A STEADY EXODUS TO HONG KONG. INTERESTINGLY THERE WAS ALSO AN INCREASING MOVE OF PORTUGUESE FROM PORTUGAL TO MACAU.
CONSULATE GENERAL
11. NABO SAID THEY WERE JUST BEGINNING TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHINESE. THEIR OPENING BID WAS TO RETAIN THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE BUILDING AS THEIR CONSULATE GENERAL AFTER 1999 (THE MOST STRIKING BUILDING IN MACAU, OLD COLONIAL STYLE, AND USED BY THE PRESIDENT AND TOP MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AS OFFICES, AND FOR CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS). THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY FONSECA, THE DIPLOMATIC ADVISER. NEITHER SEEMED VERY CONVINCED HOWEVER THAT THIS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.
GOVERNORSHIP
12. NABO SAID A NEW GOVERNOR WOULD BE APPOINTED AFTER THE ELECTIONS IN PORTUGAL. IF SOARES WAS RE-ELECTED HE MIGHT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IN JANUARY: IF NOT IT WOULD BE MARCH. HE WOULD NOT BE A CANDIDATE. HE WISHED TO RETURN TO BUSINESS LIFE IN PORTUGAL.
MACAU STOCK EXCHANGE
13. VASCONCELOS SAID THIS WAS ON HOLD. HE DID NOT EXPECT ANY EARLY DEVELOPMENTS. MACAU'S INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BASE WAS STILL TOO SMALL TO MAKE IT AN EARLY OR EASY PROSPECT.
LIGHT RAILWAY
14. VASCONCELOS SAID THEY WERE LOOKING HARD AT THE PROSPECT OF AN ABOVE GROUND LIGHT RAILWAY. TALKS HAD BEEN HELD WITH SIEMEN AND A FRENCH COMPANY. THE JAPANESE HAD ALSO SHOWN INTEREST. THERE WAS STILL TIME FOR A BRITISH ENTRY, IF IT CAME QUICKLY. (COMMENT: I ASSUME THE DTI CAN FOLLOW UP ON THIS. IT WOULD BE VALUABLE BUSINESS.)
TRADE POLICY
15. VASCONCELOS SAID HE THOUGHT THE BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENTS SHOULD CO-OPERATE IN GETTING A MORE SYMPATHETIC
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