MR YOUDE
Copies to
Mr Wilford
Mr Stuart (HKIOD).
SEAD
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED
REGIST
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22 MÁN .774
NIOL
See minute PLA
FAR EAST DEFENCE COMMITMENTS
1.
As agreed this morning, I have attempted, and attach, the first draft of a submission to Ministers on this problem. It is longer than I should like and you may feel that the discussion in para 11 could be omitted at this stage. To some extent it pre-judges the process of consultation which we are recommending.
2.
The question of Hong Kong and other Colonial dependencies, and that of staging posts, are mentioned only in passing. I thought it best to omit altogether our defence requirements in the Gulf and facilities connected with Indian Ocean surveillance. It could be argued that these should be included but, if so, other departments will need to be brought in.
19 March 1974
CONFIDENTIAL
J KHickman
South West Pacific Department