GR 175
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 230035Z
DEDIP
SECRET
SECRET
RECEIVED IN
RECIGTRY No.52
23 SEP1974
HKK 8/9.
TOP COPY
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO. 953 OF 23 SEPTEMBER. 1974
YOUR TEL. 895: DEFENCE REVIEW.
:
LA
RE:
FOR SIR DUNCAN WATSON.
NEXT
RIF
115
I CANNOT ADVISE ON TACTICS WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
SUBSTANCE AND CONSEQUENTLY WHAT COST, WHAT IS MEANT BY ''A SOMEWHAT REDUCED LEVEL''? SHOULD I REGARD THIS:
A) AS A GENERAL DIRECTIVE WITHIN WHICH, IN CONSULTATION WITH CBF, I AM TO WORK OUT DETAILED PROPOSALS, TO RECONCILE, IF POSSIBLE THE CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG'S SAFETY, ABILITY TO PAY, AND MINISTERS DECISION ABOUT THE SPLIT OF COSTS? OR
B). IS THIS PHRASE SHORTHAND FOR A DEFINED STRENGTH OF GARRISON? IN THE LATTER CASE I MUST KNOW THE DETAILS BEFORE I CAN TAKE
THIS FURTHER.
2. MAY I ASSUME GURKHA UNITS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE?
3. WHAT IS MEANT BY ''WITHOUT A RAPID REINFORCEMENT CAPABILITY''? IS IT MEANT THERE WOULD BE NONE, OR ONLY AFTER A MONTH, OR TWO MONTHS, OR WHAT? IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
4. BY WHEN WILL MY ADVICE NOW BE REQUIRED? 1 PRESUME AT LEAST NOT
BEFORE 10 OCTOBER?
MACLENOSE
FILE S
HKIOD (3)
DEFENCE DEPT
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY - ROBERTS
PS/PUS
SIR D WATSON
MR THOMSON
MR WILFORD MR MALE
COPIES TO:
MR HOCKADAY, MR SMITH,
MOD
CABINET OFFICE
SECRET
107