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4. SUGGESTED REDRAFT IS AS FOLLOWS :-
'' DISCUSSIONS ARE PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE FUTURE FORCE LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG IN THE LONG TERM AND ITS FINANCING. THE OUTCOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE AND EMBODIED IN A NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL RUN FROM 1ST APRIL 1976.
MEANWHILE ALL CONCERNED ARE AGREED THAT IT WILL BE SAFE TO PLAN SOME EARLY REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVEL OF THE GARRISON. ACCORDINGLY CERTAIN UNITS AND INDIVIDUALS WILL BE WITHDRAWN DURING THE NEXT *18 MONTHS. THESE ARE
5. IF YOU STLL FEEL THAT A STATEMENT IS NECESSARY I WOULD HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE POSITION TO EX. CO ON 11 MARCH, AND SHOULD CIRCULATE A NOTE. PLEASE THEREFORE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WILL DO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MACLEHOSE
FILES HKIOD (4) DEFENCE D MR THOMSON
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