22A
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 1184
OF 140635Z APRIL 89
HKC 062/1
222
(136)
152623
MDLIAN 3019
TOP COPY Q DIST 7
MIFT: WITHDRAWAL OF GARRISON: RN PRESENCE
FUTURE ROLES AND TASKS OF THE ROYAL NAVY IN HONG KONG UNTIL 1997
INTRODUCTION
1. THE MOD IS UNDERTAKING A STUDY TO ASSESS HOW BEST TO PROVIDE A ROYAL NAVY PRESENCE THROUGH TO 1997 AND HAS ASKED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A STATEMENT OF THE ROYAL NAVY'S ROLES AND TASKS IN HONG KONG BEYOND 1997/92. THIS PAPER PRESENTS A RECOMMENDED STATEMENT FOR TRANSMISSION TO MOD.
BACKGROUND
2. IN 1986, OUR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE ROYAL NAVY SHOULD NOT BE RETAINED BEYOND 1991. THE REASONS WERE:
A. AS PART OF OUR INTENTION NOT TO PROVIDE ROLES FOR THE PLA TO INHERIT, THERE APPEARED TO BE POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN REMOVING THE ROYAL NAVY EARLY, AND
B. THE MARINE POLICE EXPANSION PROGRAMME WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY 1991 AND THERE WOULD BE LESS OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE ROYAL NAVY.
3. THE FIRST REASON NO LONGER HOLDS.
Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)
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