SECRET
fa.
HKC 062/1
BRAV
་ -
1990
FROM: M V Stone
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 10 April 1990
Mi Stone
Mr McLare
ren
Many thanks.
have spoken
h
Mr Harfull
have
семь
рама
poronal Velegram
to the GrowN
copy attacked,
HONG KONG: ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT
12/10
1. You asked me to find out who would be the best person for you to speak to on this. I think probably Richard Hatfield, Head of Sec(0) (C),is probably the most appropriate: Mr Bevan is apparently on leave and R Adm. E S J Larken would probably not commit himself
without seeking Hatfield's views.
2.
I attach the relevant papers on this:
Minutes of the Hong Kong Steering Committee meeting held on
2 February;
MODUK telegram of 20 March;
HK telnos 1184 and 1185.
3.
I think the points to make are:
Situation in Hong Kong has changed. Hong Kong Governor and CBF
Hong Kong both consider military threat is heightened. Appreciate
that you have overruled them but the perception is there.
The political case for retention is strong. But this does not
mean that the usual DCA formula should be changed. Military case for the whole garrison is hardly strong.
use different arrangements, would have to go to the Finance
Committee: this would stir up a hornets nest and for what? We would
ROYARJ
SECRET
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