Cypher
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (O.A.G.)
JJ
COPY FOR REGISTRATIO
17
10
JUL
12
1967
D. 15 July 1967
IT
R.
15
071 OZ
IMMEDIATE SECKET No.1 041
Addressed to Commonwealth Office Repeated
IF
POLAD Singapore No.242 (C.O. please pass)
I have decided with Commander British Forces that it would be prudent to entrust to the military primary responsibility for the security of the frontier area. The police however will remain to carry out their other normal duties in the border zone. The main reason for this decision is the Sha Tau Kok (S.T.K.) incident last Saturday which demonstrated that the police had neither the arms nor the training to cope with armed incursions of this kind. In addition there was the incident at Lo Wu on the night 11/12 July. The morale of the frontier has been, understandably, affected. They have rallied well but the military activity on the Chinese side of the border, although mainly defensive in nature, has continued to cause apprehension. One battalion (1/7GR) less one company is now deployed in the S.T.K. area. Two companies (1/10GR) are deployed to the west of them as far as Lo Wu with observation posts, jointly manned with the police in some cases, along the high ground. The remainder of this force is out of sight by day, either on the reverse slopes or inside the police posts. By night, forward positions are occupied. There are reserves ready at short notice in the Faniing area where two batteries of guns are deployed.
2.
3. The army's role is to maintain observation along the border and to take immediate action against any incursion. The doctrine of minimum force will still apply and the forward troops are equipped with tear gas which would normally be the first weapon used by the police. The police will continue to carry out all their other normal functions in the border area.
1
4.
It is believed that the presence of an effective military force close to the border will be a deterrent against any further incursion on the S.T.K. pattern whether by civilians, Red Guards or militia with or without the support of the P.L.A. These dispositions will be kept constantly under review. As soon as tension is reduced sufficiently, the police will reassume their full responsibilities. I am confident, however, that at the present stage the use of the army in this role is both realistic and prudent without being more provocative than the situation warrants.
RECEPassed as requested)
[ARC'y (Advance, copies passed to Commonwealth Secretary,
Messrs. de la Mare, Wilson, Bolland and Denson
F/Dept. Foreign Office and Mr. Glover, News Dept.)
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HUB 4/1
SECRET
/Distribution