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Secretary of State for Defence
HONG KONG: CBF ON EXCO
1. David Gillmore and Michael Quinlan have exchanged
letters on the position of the CBF on the Governor's Executive Council in Hong Kong. The Governor believes that in the new more political atmosphere in Hong Kong the continued presence of CBF on ExCo will increasingly
be seen in Hong Kong as an anachronism, as well as making
it easier for the PLA to claim a place on the Chief
Executive's ExCo after 1997. Michael Quinlan's letter of
11 December asked the Governor to review the proposal
that the position of CBF on ExCo should end when the
current incumbent leaves his post in spring 1992.
2. We and the Governor have reconsidered the proposal in
the light of Michael Quinlan's letter. We conclude that,
difficult though it is, this is the best time to make
such a move: that it is in Hong Kong's interests to do
so: and that other effective ways exist to keep CBF fully abreast of policy thinking in Hong Kong.
3.
The Governor is very mindful of the need to ensure
that the CBF remains fully attuned to the political and
economic developments in Hong Kong. He has confirmed his
intention to ask CBF to attend ExCo meetings whenever any major security issue is discussed. He has also said that
he would have no objection to the CBF continuing to
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receive all ExCo papers
although many are concerned
with routine domestic business.
4. Issues of operational interest to CBF are normally discussed in the Governor's Security Committee, of which
the CBF is of course a member. This usually meets
monthly, and of course extra meetings are also called as
necessary. The Governor also proposes to continue to invite the CBF to attend his regular weekly meetings with
senior officials, and would give CBF direct access to him
whenever necessary.
5. Of course, the removal of the CBF from ExCo only five
years before 1997 may not be decisive in Chinese minds
when they are considering whether the local PLA Garrison
Commander should sit on ExCo. But I share the Governor's
view that in Hong Kong terms CBF's position on ExCo is
anomalous in today's political environment. It could be
twisted by budding politicans in to accusations of
military/HMG interference in local domestic affairs. It
could also become a focus for an argument about whether
or not the post-1997 Commander of the PLA should hold a
similar position, with demands that HMG ensure he does
not. I believe that the balance of advantage lies in
making this change before it becomes a matter of
controversy in Hong Kong.
6. The Governor has said that he would be happy to
discuss this issue during his visit to London in late
January. But this would give us problems over timing: we
shall need to go to the Privy Council for an amendment to
the Royal Instructions (clause II) before any change can be implemented. I therefore very much hope that you will
be able to agree with the Governor's proposals. If
nevertheless, you think it would be helpful for one of
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your senior people to talk it over on the ground, John Chapple's visit to Hong Kong in early January would provide an opportunity.
Douglas Hurd
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