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IW
062/2 НКК 400/1
BH Cousins Esq
SECRET
Head of Defence Secretariat 6
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehal1
LONDON
10
20
HONG KONG: DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT
¿poke to hangm
Will
hongmire
IFRA who
copy dead SEAR'S plc to HKTED
fle within the next few days
By Enter (all) and resubmit
26 May 1977
du. David
TJ 30%
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as well as H.k.? Dimi).
1. Thank you for your letter D/DS6/46/66/1 of 18 May. You will since have seen a copy of Hong Kong telegram no. 500 of 17 May which sets out the Governor's first views on the necessity of a reinforcement potential from Brunei. I now enclose a copy of the Governor's letter of 18 May to Donald Kurray which gives his more considered views, I also enclose a copy of the Talking Points we prepared for our own Secretary of State for use at the DOPC meeting on 24 kay.
2. It seems that the question raised in your letter of whether the Hong Kong Government should be brought into the "policy-making process" over the presence of the Gurkhas in Brunei has become academic. Clearly, the Hong Kong Government are now involved, For the record, however, I should say that I consider it right that the Hong Kong Government have had an opportunity to express their views at this stage. It would have been unfortunate if we had, sooner or later - but especially later presented Hong Kong with a decision which, judging by the arguments advanced by the Governor, they would have greeted with dismay. I think that we should continue to keep the Governor informed.
3* I would meanwhile be grateful for your views on the arguments which the Governor has put forward in his letter. At first sight I find them persuasive and Lord Goronyy-Roberts, who has see the Governor's letter has commente "The Hong Kong case has, of course, been very strong, even if sui generis". But I recognize that what the Governor says depends very much on military considerations which you are best placed to assess.
Goldsmith (SEAD)
Filberforce (Defence Repti
JAB Stewart