Appendix A.
Anaes
JOINT PAPER ON THE PRINCIPLES OF EMPLOYMENT
OF THE ARMY IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE
INTRODUCTION
After December 1976 the Army Garrison in Hong Kong, operating under Headquarters British Forces Hong Kong, will be able to deploy 4/3 battalion equivalents commanded by Headquarters Gurkha Fisld Force in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police. Each battalion will be allocated a primary area of responsibility for Internal Security operations to encourage the development of relations with the Royal Hong Kong Police and to improve their local know- ledge of the ground. This means that although battalions will remain capable of operating in other areas, the United Kingdom battalion at Stanley Fort will concentrate on Island District; and each of the 3 Gurkha battalions in the New Territories will concentrate, respectively, on Kowloon District, New Territories District and Frontier Division.
2.
Since 1967 the threat to the internal security of Hong Kong has altered, considerable development has taken place within Hong Kong and changes have been made to both Military and Police strengths and their command structures. In the light of these changes it is appropriate to review and restate the principles for employment of the Military in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police.
3.
AIM
The aim of this paper is to establish guidelines for the employ
ment of troops in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police.
DISCUSSION
THE THREAT
4.
The Primary Threat. The main threat to Hong Kong is of internal unrest caused by local problems of a socio-economic nature, in extreme con- ditions of unrest large crowds can be expected on the street, using varying degrees of violence, in several areas at once. Acts of looting, arson and damage to property can be anticipated and lawless elements might employ firearms. There is, therefore, a need to develop and practise tactics aimed at controlling large crowds in disorder aggravated by sporadic cutbursts of greater violence.
5.
The Secondary Threat. There is no political terrorist movement based in Hong Kong, such as the Irish Republican Army in Ireland; however, the threat of international terrorism cannot be discounted and random political terrorism is as great a threat in Hong Kong as elsewhere in the world. Acts such as assassination. hijacking, kidnapping or seizing hostages require special handling by suitably trained and prepared teams; this is not a military role in Hong Kong where the Special Duties Unit of the
In Royal Hong Kong Police is trained to deal with these contingencies. Summary, the military must understand the motives of political terrorism but are not required to develop techniques to combat such activity as part of their Internal Security training. They must, however, be prepared to provide euch support to the Royal. Hong Kong Police as may be agreed from time to time.
/ POLICE