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SECRET UK EYES A
(212)
(viii) Furthermore, we must be careful not to tell the Hong
Kong Government anything materially different from what we have told the Sultan of Brunei. He has been told
that the battalion is needed in Hong Kong and to say anything else to Hong Kong at this stage would complicate still further the already difficult task of getting the Sultan to agree to the withdrawal of the Gurkhas by mid-1978. It is in our wider interests to leave the
future of this battalion open as long as possible.
(ix)
The Chief Secretary is right in suggesting that, if Hong Kong were to ask, we should say that we are planning to withdraw the Gurkha battalion from Brunei as soon as possible.
(x) [If the Chief Secretary raises the point about Hong Kong
being ready to pay for patrol boats and artillery battery but only 50% of the costs.]
Hong Kong cannot do this. If they can find the money for these desirable additions, they must first find their agreed share of the costs of the garrison regarded as essential by the Chiefs of Staff.
(xi) [If absolutely necessary to secure agreement in
Committee.]
We might perhaps compromise by agreeing to seek graduation over a maximum of four years.
SECRET UK EYES A