Our reference: Your reference:
2DM 415/01
SECRET
Treasury Chambers
Great George Street, London S.W.I
Telephone: 01-930 1234, ext.
SI
555
5 April 1971
A W Gaminara Esq
Hong Kong Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office SW1
Dear Gaminara,
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HONG KONG DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION
1. You asked for advise from me today on the Governor's telegrams 48) Nos 225 and 226, with a view to an early discussion.
2. In the time available I have prepared some hurried notes
and comments on tel 225. I enclose these in an annex.
3.
The
As regards paragraph 5 of tel 226 (The recently agreed German payment to HMG) I am still considering (having been involved in the matter here) what may be the best way of tackling and presenting the question. The fact is, of course, that there can be no comparison whatsoever between the German situation and that of Hong Kong. forces in Hong Kong, as we have stated in the official reply, are there for the defence of the colony and to assist in the maintenance of law and order. The German payments have to be viewed in the context of NATO Alliance policy and finanical arrangements.
It strikes me incidentally that paragraphs 2 and 5 are inconsistent. If a contribution is to be wholly unrelated to any calculations or figures, what bearing can the German agreement have on the situation?
4.
I am copying this letter to Thorp and Smith.
REIVED IN REGISTRY No.51
......1971
LAKICIN/G
+
TJ BRACK