TNAG-2290-FCO40-3296-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1991 — Page 165

CONFIDENTIAL

FM BTC HONG KONG

TO ROUTINE FCO

TELNO 147

OF 021057Z MAY 91

CONFIDENTIAL

HKC020/1

INFO ROUTINE LISBON, SEOUL, TOKYO, HONG KONG

NORTH KOREAN HONORARY CONSULATE IN MACAU

37)

164633 MDLIAN 7838

TOP COPY Pacie Q DIST?

nur /sainty.

Mr

масам

C53/5

Hnd probably be SED lead, but not important.

RM 315

1. MACAU DIPLOMATIC ADVISER FONSECA CONFIRMED OVER LUNCH (2 MAY) THAT DESPITE HIS OWN MISGIVINGS THE NORTH KOREAN TRADING OFFICE IN MACAU WAS NOW ISSUING VISAS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF AN HONORARY CONSULATE.

2. FONSECA EXPLAINED THAT SINCE PORTUGAL RECOGNISED NORTH KOREA THERE WAS NO FORMAL BASIS FOR A REFUSAL OF THEIR REQUEST TO CONVERT THE OFFICE INTO A CONSULATE. THE MACAU JUDICIAL POLICE (EQUIVALENT TO SPECIAL BRANCH) ALSO FELT THAT IT WOULD BE EASIER TO KEEP TABS ON THE NORTH KOREANS IF THEY WERE UNDER AN HONORARY CONSULATE ROOF. HE HIMSELF DISLIKED THE IDEA AND HAD SUGGESTED TO

THE SOUTH KOREAN CONSULATE GENERAL THAT THEY COMPLAIN IN LISBON, BUT NO MESSAGE OF THIS HAD FILTERED BACK FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ACCORDINGLY MACAU HAD NO REASON TO DELAY ANY FURTHER (THEY HAD PREVARICATED FOR ABOUT A YEAR).

HEAP

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

27

MINIMAL

HKD

SED

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

27

FED

PAGE 1 CONFIDENTIAL

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