340
IMMEDIATE
GRS 100
CYPHER CAT/A
FM HONG KONG 301115Z
SECRET
SECRET.
300CT1975
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TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NO 1289 OF 30 OCTOBER.
MY TELEGRAM NO 1086: DEFENCE COSTS.
***
AFTER A LONG DISCUSSION WITH UNOFFICIALS THIS AFTERNOON I HAVE PUT TO MR RODGERS THE OUTCOME IN THE MINUTE IN MY IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING TELEGRAM. AS YOU SEE UNOFFICIALS HAVE ACCEPTED MY RECOMMENDATION, SUBJECT TO THE ADDITION OF A VERY STIFF GLOSS ON PARA 8(B) OF MY TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE.
2. WITH REFERENCE TO PARA 1 (A) AND (B) OF MIFT IT IS
PROPOSED TO REPROVISION R AF KAI TAK AT SEKONG AND VICTORIA
BARRACKS IN TAMAR. THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING PARTY
SHOULD NOT PRECULDE RETENTION OF PARTS OF THESE PIECES OF LAND IF OTHERWISE COMPATIBLE WITH UNOFFICIALS' OBJECTIVES (E.G. FLAGSTAFF HOUSE).
3. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THIS PROPOSAL WILL PROVE EITHER
TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE ON THE GROUND, OR ACCEPTABLE TO H.M.G.,
BUT MEANWHILE I MUST STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POINT IN
PARA 6 OF MY MINUTE. PREMATURE ANNOUNCEMENT, EVEN OF AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCUSSION OF TECHNICAL DETAILS, MIGHT TOUCH OFF AN UPROAR HERE ALONG THE LINES THAT THE HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN WAY FAR TOO QUICKLY. THIS COULD CAUSE
UNOFFICIALS TO RENEGE.
MIFT.
MACLEHOUSE
FILES
HKLOD (3)
SIR D WATSON
DEFENCE D
MR THOMSON
SWPD
MR MALE
PS
PS/LUKD GORONWY-ROBERTS
SECRET
COPIES TO
MR WARD DS 6 MOD
MR HANSFORD TREASURY MR BRYERS CABINET OFFICE MR AGGLETON
PSA/DOE