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contribution itself is a highly emotive question in
Hong Kong's Executive Council. Great care would be
needed in negotiating any changes. We must be careful
not to imply that changes will, or even may, be made,
since this could immediately affect confidence. At
the same time we cannot preempt the Defence Review
by saying that there will be no changes. The Ministry
of Defence would even be unwilling to agree, at this
moment, to an assurance that there was no question
of a total withdrawal of forces.
4. If Sir Albert Rodrigues raises the question, I
suggest the Minister should say only that, as he will
know, Britain's worldwide defence capabilities are being
reviewed. But we have Hong Kong's needs very well
in mind.
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