CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 914
OF 141215Z MARCH 90
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: USE OF GARRISON
My laul, HF.)
agree
063542
MDHIAN 1237
with the Governor.
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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE IN LONDON LATER THIS WEEK. AMONGST OTHER THINGS HE WILL BE HAVING ONE OF HIS REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE MOD ON 16 MARCH TO DISCUSS TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT (DCA).
2. THE FS TELLS ME THAT MOD HAVE PUT ON THE AGENDA FUTURE FUNDING OF GARRISON ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE OPERATIONS.
3. I HOPE THERE IS NO QUESTION OF MOD TRYING TO ARGUE THAT USE OF THE GARRISON TO SUPPORT THE HKG IN DEALING WITH VIETNAMESE SHOULD BE HANDLED OTHER THAN UNDER EXISTING DCA ARRANGEMENTS FOR DIVIDING PAYMENT. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE POLITICS OF ANY CHANGE WOULD BE UNMANAGEABLE. THERE CAN BE NO/NO QUESTION OF SUCCESSFULLY PERSUADING FINANCE COMMITTEE TO VOTE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER THE COST OF GARRISON HELP OVER VIETNAMESE. INDEED ANY ATTEMPT TO DO SO WOULD SIMPLY PUT AT RISK THE EXISTING ANNUAL FUNDING EXERCISE WHICH ALWAYS ATTRACTS A FEW ADVERSE VOICES.
4. I AM PROBABLY ANTICIPATING A PROBLEM WHICH DOES NOT EXIST. I HOPE SO. BUT IT IS AS WELL THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE A MARKER FOR SOMETHING WHICH WOULD BE VERY HARD TO HANDLE IF IT CAME TO PASS.
WILSON
dr
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PAGE
CONFIDENTIAL
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