HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS NEGOTIATIONS
Commenting on the Joint Press Statement, Mr Rodgers said:
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" I should like to add a few personal remarks, essentially from
the UK Government's point of view.
This has been a week of tough negotiations with
much plain speaking. My task has been to explain on
behalf of HMG why it is necessary to ask Hong Kong for
a very substantial increase in its contribution towards
the cost of the Garrison. I think there is now fuller
understanding of our case.
At the same time, the Governor has very clearly and
persistently described what the Hong Kong Government sees as
the limitations on its ability to pay. I have been
impressed by the force' of his arguments even when not
wholly convinced by them.
į
On cost sharing, a gap obviously remains. I will be
reporting to my Government and detailed discussions on a
number of matters will continue between us and the
I am hopeful
Hong Kong Government at official level.
about an eventual agreement on mutually acceptable terms.
I should add that of the total cost of the Garrison, about
70% is in fact spent in Hong Kong. So all of what Hong Kong
currently pays for its own defence comes back to it, and
much more.
!
/AS