SECRET
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Military Committee and retain the UK Permanent Military Deputy' and the attached officers. Forces would no longer be declared to CENTO, but would continue to participate in CENTO exercises.
CYPRUS
10. We should, if possible, withdraw all our forces from Cyprus. See Paper No. 29.
MALTA
11. We should withdraw from Malta on the expiry of the Military Facilities Agreement in 1979 and should not renew it. A gradual run- down of our forces could begin in 1977, but not before then.
GIBRALTAR
12.
Gibraltar is no longer of any great military importance to us, though it has some value for NATO. But as long as it remains an issue between us and Spain and there seems to be virtually no prospect of an acceptable settlement in the foreseeable future there is little scope for savings.
CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
13. We must continue to provide the minimum necessary level of forces for the internal security and defence of the Falkland Islands and Belize so long as they remain dependent territories. The cost of the small Falkland Islands detachment is minimal and the garrison of 600 men in Belize cannot sensibly be reduced.
DIEGO GARCIA
14. OPD has decided to approve the expansion, subject to Congressional approval; an eventual public announcement should be accompanied by a statement, agreed with the Americans, on policy towards arms limitations in the Indian Ocean area.
15. The Secretary of State was invited to consider how this decision should be conveyed to the US Government. He decided that they should not, for the time being, be told of it.