ITEM 3
ITEM 3A 1989 REVIEW
-
·
SECRET
UK EYES A
LOCSEN
WITHDRAWAL PLAN
CDS 13/89
6. R Adm Larken commented that the follow-on studies due had been completed and that the COS had now signed up to the 'event-driven' nature of the plan in the latest Out of Area Annual Report. There were no other comments on the 1989 Review.
ITEM 3B
-
RELATIONSHIP OF 1989 REVIEW WITH LTC
7. Hd Sec (0) (C) cited
cited the case for a continued naval presence in
in Hong Kong where the Withdrawal Plan gave a planning date of 1991 for the transfer of the RN's anti-II role to MARPOL. Accordingly there was provision in the LTC for retention of the patrol craft until March 1992. Work was now underway which might change this assumption and this was to be discussed later.
8.
In describing the relationship between the 1989 Review and the LTC, Mr Hatfield observed that the LTC was not immutable and it was therefore incumbent upon members
of the Committee to produce well argued cases that would convince resource managers of the necessity to alter the plan consequent upon changes in the operational
circumstances.
9. Mr Hatfield summarised by stating that it was up to CBF and his staff to make the case and for the Defence Commitments Staff to scrutinize and present it.
ITEMS 3C AND 3D ASSOCIATED STUDIES
-
1991
REVIEW AND
COORDINATION OF
10. The Chairman announced that these 2 items would be combined because the one led on from the other. He began by stating that the position on many issues was still unclear and that essential studies, notably that by DIS, would not be completed until 1 Jul 91. An earlier review would therefore be deficient. Instead, it would be better if 1990 was used to take stock of events whilst the outstanding work from the last review was completed and minds were cleared on the conduct of the next major review which was due to take place in 1991.
11. DGMSI stated that there was a need to assess the whole threat spectrum and then to look at CBF's requirements to gather intelligence. He believed that a broad conclusion would be available in a month or so.
12. ACOS J3 briefed the Meeting on the expected outcome of the Supporting Arms Study. Initially there would be little to go following the first battalion's withdrawal.
LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET
Support
ROW 3b
HQBF Hong
Kong
DI ROW B3
DGMSI
(こ
3