Mr Stagg, Hong Kong Department)
Mr Major, MED
Mr Longmire, SEAD
RAF LOAN SERVICE POSTS (LSP)
Reference
139
CONFIDENTIAL
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separate copies
See (1465
1. I attach a copy of a letter of 7 July from Mr Miles (MOD DS 8) to Mr Watkins. The shortage of fast jet pilots is now so severe that the RAF want us to take a critical look at LSP Posts outside the NATO area. I should be grateful if you would let me know whether the proposals in Mr Miles letter would create any difficulties in terms of our political relations with the territories for which you are responsible.
2. At a first glance it seems to me that there should be no difficulty about the Hong Kong proposal.
3. In Saudi Arabia the RAF are content to leave matters unchanged for the moment. Again I suggest that this should pose no problem. As the Kuwaitis have decided to buy French aircraft we may not be well placed to resist any request to withdraw the RAF pilots by 1980. In the case of Oman, Ministers are anxious to speed up the planned reduction in our commitments. I see no difficulty therefore in reminding the Omanis that LSP are provided only where contract personnel have not been found.
4. I see a potential difficulty over Brunei. We are committed under our present treaty relations with the Sultan to assist him with the staffing and training of his armed forces. He will, I am sure, expect us to use our best endeavours to keep to this commitment under the proposed Treaty of Friendship after 1983. MOD, on the other hand, now want to reduce the RAF's commitments in Brunei wherever possible. I should be grateful for SEAD's views.
Mr
11 July 1978
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CODE 18 - 77
Colin A. Munn.
CA Munro
-Defence Department
CONFIDENTIAL
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BY HO. N 12 JUL 1978
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