SECRET
SECRET
taats
(xii) We would let it be known that we will withdraw from Malta
in 1979 when the present agreement expires. We would try to
persuade our NATO Allies to pay our share of the contribution to
Malta up to 1979.
Gibraltar
(xiii) So long as there is no change in the type of Government
in Spain and in the attitude of Gibraltarians we would retain a
garrison in Gibraltar and continue to support the dockyard.
is little, if any, scope for early reduction.
The Caribbean and South Atlantic
There
(xiv) If it is decided that the defence of colonial territories
should not be exempt from cuts, in order to reach the level of
economy envisaged by Ministers we would withdraw as rapidly as
possible all our commitments in the Caribbean and Atlantic but
giving advance notice to the Americans and to our dependent
territories at the appropriate time. We would continue to try
to achieve early success in settling the political disputes
involving Belize and the Falkland Islands. We should plan in
any event to withdraw all our forces from Belize and the Falkland
Islands in the 1970s. We should allow the naval patrolling
agreement with the Bahamas to lapse at the end of its two year
term. We should not station ships permanently in the Caribbean.
UN Contribution
(xx)
We would maintain our present expressed readiness to
contribute up to one air portable brigade if one is retained.
We would avoid offering more than this at any time to UN operations.
Military Assisted Evacuation of Civilians
(xvi) As at present we would provide no forces exclusively for military assisted evacuation of civilians but would be ready to
J6
SECREST
SECRET
D