CONFIDENTIAL
HKCK 027/20
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO.
12 SEP 1983
SK OFFICER
PA
Da, thr Luce's
hi's it
aw. 12/9.
cc: Mr Donald o/r
Mr Weston, Defence Dept
Mr Elliott, FED
Mr Hartland-Swann, SEAD Miss Walker, IKD
Mr Giffard
INDEX
HONG KONG: VISIT OF CDS
1.
Field Marshal Bramall has had a visit to Hong Kong arranged for some time. The dates are 26 September - 5 October. For public consumption he is going as Colonel of the Second Ghurka Rifles Regiment. In fact he is going to have talks with the CBF and to visit all three branches of the British forces.
2.
Following speculation about the attendance of Mr. Heseltine and the CDS at the Prime Minister's meeting about Hong Kong on 5 September, Hong Kong newspapers are now suggesting that the CDS's visit to Hong Kong at the same time as Mr Luce is more than a coincidence and that 'sensitive talks' about the future of the Ghurkas are likely.
3.
The Governor is concerned about this. He will assess opinion when he returns to Hong Kong. He would of course only recommend cancellation or postponement of the CDS's visit if the problems were very serious but he will at the least ensure that overlapping with Mr Luce's programme is kept to a minimum.
4.
I do not think we need to take any action with MOD; at the moment. The CDS and General Chapple are well aware of the political problems and will obviously do their best to minimise these.
5. Provided that the final discussions with Brunei go as planned during Mr Luce's visit, it should be possible for Mr Luce to make some fairly positive remarks about the position of the Ghurkas without overplaying this or appearing provocative to China. We will keep in touch with SEAD on this and ensure that suitable amendments to Mr Luce's brief are telegraphed as appropriate.
K
9 September 1983
CONFIDENTIAL
RD Clift
Hong Kong Department
6i