SECRET UK EYES A
-
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Ph.
Definer looks)
Blix 281
London SW1
Telephone 01-
930 8440
Ext 759
A JH Ward Esq
DS6
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building, Whitehall · LONDON SW1
Your reference
Our reference FWB 10/1
Date 22 September 1975
HONG KONG:
(280)
IT
REINFORCEMENT FROM BRUNEI
With reference to your minute D/DS6/46/66/1 dated 19 September, I agree both with your summary of factors and with your conclusions. My only comment concerns the passage "this should be managed in such a way as to avoid disclosing our position to the Sultan". I take it that by our position" you mean "the local reinforcement option" (because it is disclosure of this that would "strengthen his bargaining hand"). If so, we acknowledge that disclosure may be difficult to avoid. If on the other hand you mean OPD endorsement of the planning assumptions for withdrawal from Brunei (para 5f) the need to avoid disclosure should I think be more strongly emphasised.
1
PA B Thomson
South-West Pacific Dept
Mr R Janvrin (HKIOD/FCO) .
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