SECRET
HICE Cil /12
RECEIVER
15 NOV 1991
IC
124214
MDHIAN 0187
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3435
OF 010845Z NOVEMBER 91
INFO PRIORITY UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TOP COPY Q DIST?
PERSONAL FOR FOX, HKD.
FROM GOVERNOR.
YOUR TELNO 1934: CBF ON EXCO.
1. I SEE NO PROBLEM WITH CONTINUING TO SEND EXCO PAPERS TO THE CBF. THIS SHOULD BE DONE UNOFFICIALLY AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED NEARER TO 1997. MOST OF THE PAPERS WOULD BE OF NO INTEREST TO CBF. WE COULD BE SELECTIVE SO AS TO AVOID SIMPLY GENERATING MORE PAPER.
2.
I WOULD ALSO INTEND TO INVITE THE CBF TO ATTEND EXCO FOR DISCUSSIONS OF SECURITY MATTERS WHICH DIRECTLY IMPINGE ON HIS RESPONSIBILITIES, E.G. DEFENCE LANDS.
3.
IF ASKED, AS WE WOULD BE, ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THE CHANGE, WE SHOULD SAY THAT IT IS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE OR NECESSARY FOR THE CBF TO REMAIN AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF EXCO, GIVEN THE REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON AND THE STEADY EVOLUTION OF THE SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG CONE LESS EX-OFFICIO MEMBER MEANS A GREATER SAY FOR NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS). WE SHOULD ALSO EMPHASISE THE POINT THAT CLOSE RELATIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO
BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE HKG AND THE GARRISON AT ALL LEVELS.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
3 €,
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
DISTRIBUTION
21
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
PAGE 1 SECRET