18.
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UK EYES A
UK EYES A
His soundings of UMELCO had brought the reaction that the present
garrison is too large and too well provided for and that an increase in con-
tribution would be made acceptable only by demonstration that the garrison
had been cut to the absolute minimum required for the effective performance
of its role. The minimum size is in his own view represented by the cur-
rently planned "reduced" garrison; but he thought UMELCO might be inclined to
press for a still smaller garrison of, say, 4 teeth arm units. From his
point of view such a garrison would be very much a second best option, but it
could be better than nothing, to undertake internal security duties and to
deal with border incidents not supported by China. He said that the composi-
tion and full implications of such a possible garrison should be studied with
the advice of CBF and the Commissioner of Police (absent from Hong Kong until
3 February). The implications of an all-Gurkha teeth arm force option would
require especially careful study. As regards the naval component, the
Governor's preference, if a choice has to be made, remains for a frigate
rather than for patrol craft, which perform a quasi-police task.
19. The Governor expressed it as his expectation, subject to detailed
costing (which should cover alternative mixes) that a garrison of "43 teeth
arm units" would be found to cost around £35M. If the UK contribution
remained at £104, ie the equivalent of 25% of the estimated cost of the
"reduced" garrison of 5 teeth arm units, the gap to be bridged would be
£25M. Because of the worsening of the economic situation even within the
last few weeks, the Governor is now certain that he could not obtain agree-
ment to a contribution of £20M and is less confident of persuading UMELCO to
confirm the contribution of £17M which he had earlier thought feasible. He
is willing to make the attempt but sees no possibility whatsoever of
increasing this figure (at September 1974 prices). The implication of this
12
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UK EYES A
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UK EYES A