Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)
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11
PLANNING FACTORS
17.
All the planning factors recorded in CDS 7/87 remain
Two in particular are worthy of emphasis:
valid.
a.
Retention of Flexibility. It remains vital that the withdrawal plan provides flexibility to accommodate future changes to the threat assessment, slippage of
the Police expansion plan and swings in the population's confidence driven by such factors as the internatinal financial situation or potentially unsatisfactory implementation of the provisons of the
1984 Joint Declaration.
b.
-
Preservation of Confidence. The preservation of public confidence in the security and stability of Hong
Kong in the years prior to 1997 is crucial; public perception of the credibility of the forces of law and order the police supported by the military will remain a keystone of this process; this must not be
overlooked despite other considerations which may be
brought to bear on judgement of the Garrison's strength
in the future.
COS53.4-15
10 LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET