TNAG-2290-FCO40-3296-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1991 — Page 234

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TO PRESS THEIR EXPERTS FOR THEIR OPINIONS.

5. COMMENT: I DID NOT SEE VASCONCELOS OR FERREIRA THIS TIME TO GET A MORE ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE MEETING. BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEIR FRUSTRATION WILL HAVE BEEN EVIDENT, AND THAT FERREIRA ANYWAY WILL HAVE PUSHED FOR A SHOWDOWN. THE REASONS FOR MACAU'S ANXIETY OVER THE CONTINUED IMPASSE ARE PARTLY FINANCIAL (LONG DELAY, INCREASED COSTS, SHAREHOLDER IRRITATION) AND PARTLY STRATEGIC (THERE IS CONCERN OVER LATER ATC AND ASA TALKS: AND THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO BUILD UP AN AIR CARGO BUSINESS AND DIMINISH DEPENDENCE ON HONG KONG FOR PASSENGER ENTRY/EXIT WELL BEFORE 1997). THERE IS ALSO THE POLITICAL QUESTION (WHO HAS CONTROL?).

6. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH THE NEXT MOVES IN A GAME OF MORE THAN PASSING RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG'S NEW AIRPORT.

SIGNED:

GRAHAM

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