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UK EYES ONLY
DOP Note 706/70
Draft Continued
in which British interests will be safeguarded, the Sharjah battalion
will be replaced when it completes its 9 month unaccompanied
tour in November 1970.
27. HMG's treaty obligations in the Gulf are to protect the Rulers
against external attack, including the defence of one protected state
against attack by another. HMG have no specific commitment to assist
in maintaining or restoring internal security, although they might
choose to do so, especially for the protection of British lives and
property.
28. While it is always peculiarly difficult to predict a course
of events in the Gulf it is considered that any operational situation
could be met by one battalion based in the Gulf backed up by
reinforcement from UK for which plans exist. From the military
viewpoint, therefore, it is considered that one battalion from the
Gulf could be withdrawn and made available for duties in Northern
Ireland. However, the unit due to be relieved in November 1970 would
be in baulk until August 1971, and the other is an Irish battalion
Thus a unit from which is ineligible for service in Northern Ireland.
the Gulf would not be available within the time frame we are
considering. On the other hand, 3 Para could be used in Northern
Ireland in January 1971 if Ministerial agreement were given to the
reduction of one battalion from the Gulf before the unit leaves for
Sharjah in November. If this is not given, an alternative unit will
have to be found from BAOR.
Far East
29.
The current deployment and tasks of the major units in
Singapore and Malaysia between now and the end of January 1971 are
as under:
8
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UK EYES ONLY