"
oy!
We have hold the Chinese
Mant 1981.
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN
22. Announcement of First Battalion Withdrawal.
It has been HMG's practice to
explain to the PRCG at all stages what plans are involved in the withdrawal of
the Hong Kong Garrison.
HMG considers it desirable to continue this process.
The earliest possible communication to the PRCG of the UK's intention to
withdraw the first (Gurkha) battalion was therefore deemed advisable; this was
considered necessary to minimise the risk of a delayed Chinese response
precluding the timely announcement of decisions taken by Ministers regarding the
future of the Brigade of Gurkhas, and the announcement by mid 1989 latest, of
the withdrawal of the first (Gurkha) battalion in mid 1992 - assuming this was
linked to amalgamation. The 3 years lead time for announcement of a withdrawal
tied to amalgamation was prescribed by the critical planning parameters deve-
loped for CDS 7/87 and recorded at Annex D. The Chinese were accordingly
notified in Jan 89 of HMG's intention to make an announcement in mid 1989 and in your offer but dito. However, the
regarding withdrawal of the first battalion from Hong Kong
Executive Committee of the Army Board (ECAB) has now determined that the
penalties imposed by failing to meet the 3 years lead time are not critical and
that a decision regarding the amalgamation or alternative disposal of the first
battalion withdrawn would be deferred until 1990. It is therefore proposed
that, if the COS endorse the CDS 7/87 recommendation to withdraw the first
(Gurkha) battalion in mid 1992, this should be publicly announced in mid 1989 -
at the same time as an announcement on the future of the Gurkhas as a whole -
and together with a notification that the decision on the future disposal of the
first battalion withdrawn will be promulgated in 1990.
23. Withdrawal of Army Supporting Arms and Services. CDS 7/87 directed that
the rundown of Army supporting arms and services was to be linked, rather than
ROW 113 (HONG)
15
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN