MMEDIATE
YPHER/CAT A
GRS 170A
FM FCO 251830Z
DEDIP
15
TOP COPY
SECRET
P/A
Des 26/11
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DESKBY 260186Z
TO IMMEDIATE HONGKONG TELEGRAM NO. 1031 OF 25 NOVEMBER, 1974.
STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM WATSON.
MIPT: DEFENCE REVIEW.
1. YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE FAILED TO PERSUADE MINISTERS TO DELETE
FROM THE STATEMENT THE REFERENCE TO A SMALLER GARRISON WITH A LARGER CONTRIBUTION FROM HONGKONG. I AM AFRAID THIS IS FINAL. THE POLITICAL IMPERATIVES HERE WERE TOO STRONG AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE HIMSELF WAS UNCONVINCED BY OUR ARGUMENTS (AND YOURS). HE TOOK THE VIEW THAT 11ONGKONG SHOULD FACE THE FACT THAT THEY CAN PAY MORE.
2. ON THE WAY AHEAD, WE HAVE HELD UP A REPLY TO YOUR TELNO 1143 WHILE WE TRIED TO SORT OUT THE STATEMENT. I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD IF
POSSIBLE CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK TO THE TIMETABLE IN YOUR PARA 2.
BUT WE ARE NOW GIVING FURTHER THOUGHT TO THE TACTICS AND I WILL
TELEGRAPH AGAIN VERY SHORTLY. FOR THE TIME BEING I WOULD ADVISE
AGAINST FURTHER CONCRETE COMMENT OR PROPOSALS FROM YOU, FOR THERE IS A PRESENT RISK OF FURTHER HARDENING OF ATTITUDES OR EVEN REJECTION
OUT OF HAND. I THINK WE NEED TO DIRECT OUR TACTICAL PLANNING TO THE
DI SCUSSIONS DURING YOUR VISIT NEXT MONTH.
CALLAGHAN
FILE S
HD/HKIOD HD/DEFENCE D
SIR D WATSON
FS/1-US
MK MALE
MK THOMSON
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