CONFIDENTIAL
HKC062/
PA
CONFIDENTIAL
FM WELLINGTON
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 75
OF 28030OZ FEBRUARY 89
INFO PRIORITY MODUK, CBF HONG KONG, CANBERRA
84
160446
MDLIAN 0694
EXERCISE EXCHANGES: NZ/HONG KONG
SIC: BAC/B4D
1. WHEN I CALLED ON THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE TODAY TO DISCUSS
FIVE POWER DEFENCE ARRANGEMENTS HE ASKED WHETHER WE WOULD BE RUNNING DOWN THE GARRISON IN HONG KONG PRIOR TO 1997, AND WHETHER THIS WOULD AFFECT JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES. TIZARD SAID THAT HE VERY MUCH VALUED THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMPANY STRENGTH EXERCISES BETWEEN THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY AND THE GHURKA BATTALION IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS THE AIR MOVEMENTS THESE INVOLVED. HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ARRANGEMENT CONTINUE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE INTO THE FUTURE.
2. I REPLIED THAT WE ALSO FOUND THE EXERCISES USEFUL, THAT I WAS NOT BRIEFED ON ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON BUT THAT CBF HONG KONG WAS DUE TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND NEXT MONTH FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE STAFF. IF THERE IS ANYTHING MORE YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO SAY MEANWHILE GRATEFUL FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
BYATT
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SPD
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DEF DEPT
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DISTRIBUTION
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PS/LORD GLENARTHUR PS/MR WALDEGRAVE MR MCLAREN
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CONFIDENTIAL