CRET
FIVE POWER DEFENCE ARRANGEMENTS
1. There are two aspects to the Five Power Defence
Arrangements:
(a) The consultative commitment on the defence of
Malaysia and Singapore.
(b) The forces which HMG maintain in the area to
support the arrangements.
The Governments of Singapore and New Zealand have
made clear the importance they attach to the
maintenance of these forces in South-East Asia, and
Malaysia (and probably Australia) are likely to
attach importance to our continuing in the Integrated
Air Defence System. It is therefore essential that
they should be fully consulted before any changes
are decided on.
2. The main options open to IMG are :
(a)
To confirm the existing consultative commitment
but to reduce Army support by withdrawing the
Infantry Battalion and supporting land force
units from Singapore.
(76) To confirm the consultative commitment but to
withdraw all British military forces stationed
in Singapore, leaving only our contribution to
the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS); and/or
the naval presence under the group operating system.
(c) As for (b), but to withdraw also from IADS and
on ground,
(d) To withdraw all forces and negotiate the
termination of our consultative commitment
under the FPDA in due course.
SECRET
/It
17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 【16341) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
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