SECRET UK EYES A
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the event of another conflict. Thus our activities during 1989
have centred on maintaining close military links through high level visits VCDS visited in May whilst avoiding involvement
in bilateral or UN exercises. To this end, the Commonwealth
Liaison Mission has continued to play a significant part in the affairs of the UN Command and its Military Amnesty Commission.
24. In Thailand, leaders are conscious that peace rather than confrontation is the order of the day in the region. The withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia and discussions with the military in Burma are examples of such progress. UK defence relations with Thailand remain good following a wealth of
contacts in 1988 and the third Hong Kong Garrison Company level
training exercise took place in October and November. The Thai
authorities remain very supportive although they have not pressed
for joint training opportunities yet. Relations have been
strengthened by the diplomatic support HMG has provided towards
the resolution of the Cambodian problem as well as by the
programme of UKMTAS and DPF sponsored UK training assistance.
Like other nations, Thailand has embarked on an armament
modernisation programme. Unlike our other allies, however, she
has sourced major equipments from China at "friendship" prices
with the Thai defence procurement budget over-committed for at least 2 years there is currently little scope for gaining
influence via military assistance in support of UK defence sales.
w
25. The converse applies in the case of Malaysia where the
implementation of the Defence Package is bound to tighten the
links at all levels between UK and Malaysian Armed Forces for
some years to come. This has implications for the FPDA and
should enhance our already greatly improved defence relations with Singapore which is reported to be more at ease politically and militarily with her northern neighbour.
26. We have maintained close levels of contact with Brunei
throughout 1989, and the UK has agreed to negotiate an extension
of the arrangement to base the Gurkha Battalion in Brunei (due to
expire in 1993) as soon as possible. Brunei is still,
apparently, considering membership of the FPDA; we have indicated that we would be content, but that they must approach the
SECRET UK EYES A
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