In the
disturbances in 1967. The work on the
posts (Exercise "Highland" Bonnet") was carried
out by the Military authorities without
consulting the Hong Kong Government.
view of that Government the costs must be
taken "as deriving largely if not wholly
from works concerned with external defence
and that as external defence measures are a
commitment on HMG there was no
cause for
the Hong Kong Government to reimburse the
costs. The works earth works, bunkers
and observation posts for the most part
were entirely connected with the Military
presence on the border. When they were
commissioned, no arrangements on how they
were to be financed were agreed......."
"During the mid 60's circumstances on the
border were such that only a limited
Military presence was necessary.
When the
external situation deteriorated in 1967 the
Army moved back into the area and found many
positions
of their defensive possessions were in a bad
state of repair; and also such was the
external threat at that time, additional positions Possessions were necessary. The Military
the exercise
put in train the works they required under) "Highland Bonnet" They did so, rightly,
without consulting the Hong Kong Government. All the works were essentially of a Military
nature, designed to meet armed aggression
across the frontier. In the circumstances
in accordance with previous practice it
3.
/seemed