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these reasons are of the very highest importance and priority. And on practical grounas, the difficulties and expense of maintaining any fighter aircraft in Hong Kong after 1970/71 (unlike helicopters they cannot be ferried in transport aircraft) wouldbe immense. We would have to refer the whole matter to our Secretary of State if we were
ressed, and he himself would almost certainly not be favourably disposed to a long term fighter presence in Hong Kong. You would therefore have to be prepared to press your arguments very strongly and at the highest level.
4. I should be very grateful to have your considered views as soon as possible so that we can consider them in relation to the policy study on Hong Kong, to which I have previously referred, and which should be getting off-the-ground in the comparatively near future.
5. I am copying this letter to David Campbell in the Defence Department.
Your
lun
Jom Mayne
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