SECRET
-3-
recognised that we need Masirah and Gan in order to get to and from Hong Kong (we would also probably need to ensure staging facilities in Singapore) and that we have commitments in Brunei
and dependent territories; these are not all inter-related.
Our
assistance to Oman and in the United Arab Emirates also takes place
geographically "East of Suez". We do not of course want to provoke
a discussion of all these matters in the present context, but I
think they deserve a passing mention in the draft.
7.
The Heads of SWPD and MED concur.
SECRET
leidy
(J E Jackson) Defence Department 15 March 1974