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Part I to CCS 44th Meeting/67 6th June 1967
Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, and those of the Governor of Hong Kong in his telegram (8) to the Commonwealth Office. The Commander-in-Chief, Far East, had recommended that in view of the prosent situation in Hong Kong all preparations for the withdrawal of the Artillery Regiment be entirely suspended and that the decision to reduce the garrison of Hong Kong by one major unit should be reversed. In their discussion they would wish to consider the amendment proposed by the Chief of the General Staff and to discuss whether or not this was the right time to present a case for the reversal of the decision by the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee, to reduce the garrison of Hong Kong by one major unit.
SIR JAMES CASSELS said that the decision to reduce the garrison of Hong Kong by one major unit had been made before the current proposed reductions in the Far East were considered. Under the present plans, once there was no capability of reinforcing Hong Kong from Singapore, it was proposed that Hong Kong would be restored to its original garrison of 63 major units. The situation in Hong Kong would not improve for some time to come and we should now press for suspension of the planned withdrawals and, if it was considered the right time, for the reversal of the decision to reduce the garrison. paragraph 3 of the draft submission (1) would strengthen
The proposed amendment to their case by enabling the Governor of Hong Kong to state publicly that there was no intention to reduce the garrison during this financial year. If preparations for the withdrawal were suspended, difficulties in making the necessary administrative arrangements for the return of the units could arise, unless the delay was for a specific period.
In discussion, the following points were made:
a. The Foreign Office Representative said that it was likely the Chinese People's Government would continue to keep up the pressure on Hong Kong for some months to come. The Commonwealth Office representative agreed that it was important to suspend the withdrawals at once but did not consider that it would be wise, at this time, to ask for a reversal of the decision to reduce the garrison by one major unit. that the submission should contain only a request to
It was agreed suspend the withdrawals prosently planned, until 31st March 1968.
1.
It was agreed that the amendment proposed by the Chief of the General Staff to paragraph 3 of the draft submission should be included. This brought out the need to suspend the withdrawals for this financial year and the need for the Governor of Hong Kong to be able to state publicly that no withdrawals from Hong Kong wore planned for this financial year.
Notes:
1. COS 1489/2/6/67.
8"
Hong Kong to Commonwealth Office Telegram No 691 dated 24th May.
2
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