SECRET FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 230
OF 241025Z JANUARY 89
INFO PRIORITY MODUK
MOOUK FOR POLLARD SEC(O)(C)
SECRET
MKC 062/1
(40)
020300 MDHOAN 3379
MIPT: 1987 WITHDRAWAL PLAN:
FIRST REVIEW:
DRAFT PAPER FOR EXCO
1. IN 1987 THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (MOD) PREPARED AN OUTLINE WITHDRAWAL PLAN FOR THE BRITISH GARRISON IN HONG KONG. THE WITHDRAWAL PLAN WAS CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON 27 JANUARY 1987 ON THE BASIS OF EXCO MEMORANDUM XCX(87)LL. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ENDORSED THE PLAN BUT REQUESTED THAT IT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A MAJOR REVIEW IN 1992. THIS WAS AGREED.
THE
THE PLAN ALSO PROVIDES FOR A ROUTINE BIENNIAL REVIEW. FIRST SUCH REVIEW HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY HOD OFFICIALS, IN CONSULTATION WITH HKD, FCO AND CBF, HONG KONG. SUBJECT TO THE VIEWS OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, A PAPER SUMMARISING THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW WILL BE CIRCULATED TO CHIEFS OF STAFF IN FEBRUARY AND THEREAFTER SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS,
3. A SUMMARY OF THE 1987 WITHDRAWAL PLAN, TOGETHER WITH THE VARIOUS CONSIDERATIONS WHICH UNDERLIE IT, IS CONTAINED IN THE ANNEX TO XCX(87)LL. THESE UNDERLYING CONSIDERATIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED. THE KEY FACTORS WERE AND ARE THE NEED TO PRESERVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG WHILE RETAINING SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANY PERIODS OF SPECIAL SENSITIVITY BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
蠢。
THE TIMETABLE FOR PHASED WITHDRAWAL SET OUT IN THE PLAN IS
AS FOLLOWS:
I> 1987-91 THINNING OUT OF MINOR UNITS INCLUDING WITHDRAWAL OF ROYAL NAVY PLUS SOME REDUCTION IN AIR STRENGTH,
II) 1992 FIRST BATTALION WITHDRAWN (ONCE POLICE ASSUME HALF BORDER COMMITMENT)
III) POST-1993 SECOND BATTALION WITHDRAWN AND FURTHER AIR REDUCTION, (POST ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHOLE BORDER BY POLICE),
IV) PRE-1997 (SUBJECT TO LOCAL CONDITIONS) THIRD BATTALION WITHDRAWN).
V) BY 30 JUNE 1997 REMAINING FORCES WITHDRAWN.
IT IS ENVISAGED AT THIS STAGE THAT THE FOURTH AND FINAL BATTALION
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