SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
programmes. Notwithstanding this set-back, the RHKP's target dates for assumption of responsibilities on the
Border remain in line with CDS 7/87. The Police still envisage taking over half the Border by end-1991. The HKG attach great importance to meeting this deadline because it
will enable the RHKP to demonstrate to the Chinese well
before 1997 their reliability to assume responsibilities
in the SAR post-1997. The HKG views the Police Expansion
-
-
Plan as flexible and, if necessary, could reallocate
resources so that PTUS can man half the Border by end-1991;
this would allow the Garrison to reduce by one battalion in
1992. Thereafter, the Police envisage their achievement of capability will accelerate; their current timetable for assumption of responsibility for the whole Border is by the end of 1992 - earlier than forecast by CDS 7/87. However,
the date of 1994 remains a valid timescale for withdrawal of
the second (Gurkha) battalion because the HKG shares the
view of MODUK and HQBFHK that a one year gap between achievement of the Police capability and the second
reduction is advisable.
Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)
LTC provision is currently
based on the assumption that a second Gurkha battalion will not be withdrawn until 1996. It is also noteworthy that when CBF Hong Kong's revised Concept of Operations received
the Governor's endorsement in December 1988, the Governor
stated that he envisaged a need for 2 resident battalions
until the final handover rather than having the third
battalion withdraw early in the final phase as had been desired by HKG in the early days of planning. (Paragraph 10a above and paragraph 45, which record the Executive Council
COS53.4-15
13 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET