SECRET
CYPHER CAT/A
HONG KONG
TELEGRAM 726
то
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
DATED 17 OCTOBER 1970
SECRET
179100Z
4
YOUR TELEGRAM 705: HONG KONG GARRISON.
I WILL EVADE ANY QUESTIONS BY SIMPLY SAYING THAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF HMG'S NEW POLICY EAST OF SUEZ IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
2.
POSSIBLE NEED FOR SOME LOCAL STATEMENT ARISES FROM THE
FACT THAT BOTH MINISTERS AND SENIOR ARMED SERVICES OFFICERS VISITNG 'HERE HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TOLD THE PRESS THAT THE GARRISON
WOULD BE AUGMENTED POST 1971, AND HAVE MENTIONED THE EXTRA
BATTALION. I MAY THEREFORE BE ASKED ABOUT CHARGES [SIC ?CHANGES) IN VIEW CF THE NEW POLICY, BUT ON THE WHOLE I DOUBT IT.
3. I WOULD NOT ADVISE ANY FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. ONCE A
POLICY DECISION ABOUT THE BATTALION HAS BEEN TAKEN, OPPORTUNITY CAN NO DOUBT BE FOUND TO TELL PRESS ENQUIRERS AOF IT: BUT I WOULD PREFER DECISIONS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON TO BE MADE KNOWN
IN A LOW KEY.
SIR D.TRENCH
FILES
H.K.D.
DEFENCE DEPT
S.W.P.D.
F.E.D.
SIR S. TOMLINSON
MOD INTERNAL
Who
bu
27.00.70
this
sopopo.
SECRET
19/10
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MR. C.E. JOHNSON. DS6. MOD
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