3B
SECRET
UK EYES A
LOCSEN
of the Hong Kong Government's (EXCO) current view, refer).
decision on this issue need not be finalised at this stage,
but for the record, as such a change would have LTC implications, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will need to be involved in the staffing process.
-
21. Battalion withdrawals Timescales. Presuming that the Police have assumed responsibility for half the border by the end of 1991, it is judged that the withdrawal of the first (Gurkha) battalion should be planned for mid-1992; this battalion should be declared non-operational early in the year and redeployed or disbanded (9) in the second half of that year. Thereafter, the second (Gurkha) battalion
should be withdrawn in 1994. Given these circumstances, no
changes need therefore be made to the plan for withdrawal of battalions planned by CDS 7/87.
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 Chinese were accordingly notified in January
1989 of HMG's intention to make an announcement in mid-1989
regarding the withdrawal of the first battalion from Hong Kong and its subsequent disposal. If the COS endorse the CDS 7/87 recommendation to withdraw the first (Gurkha)
battalion in mid-1992, a public announcement will be made in
1990.
A
Note:
9. 'Disbandment' of the first battalion withdrawn may more accurately be described as 'amalgamation'. The latter term has therefore been adopted for use throughout the remainder of this paper.
COS53.4-15
14 LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET