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SECRET UK EYES A
operational command. This would leave the relevant Commanders- in-Chief in the role of supporting Commanders providing specialist assistance and guidance to the CBFs. These changes will then have to be reflected in management plans and CDS Directives. The paper will be taken by COS once the underlying principles have been agreed by the Defence Staff and the three Services.
BELIZE
16. The period has been an important one for British Forces Belize (BFB). It has seen unexpectedly swift but welcome initiatives by the Belizean and Guatemalan Governments to move towards a settlement, which in turn has given increased impetus to finding ways of scaling down our force levels. The period has also covered the move of the Garrison to the direct command of the Defence Staff, further refinement of BFB's proper role in CN work in theatre, and, linked in to a draw down of BFB, serious consideration of the real potential Belize offers for future UK tri-Service 00A training aspirations.
17.
Time will tell how determined the two countries are to finally settle their dispute but indications
indications at present are encouraging. COS have
have therefore felt able to announce that BFB's 4 GR3 Harriers will be withdrawn from theatre by 31 March 1992 although to underline our continuing commitment to Belize - at least until Guatemala has formally renounced her claims on that country
the proposal for 2 annual deployments by Harrier/Sea Harrier from UK, Germany or CVS is being examined and costed. Thereafter it is probable that the garrison will be reduced by a series of phased withdrawals leading ultimately to the establishment of a UK training facility, and a residual commitment to underpin the training of the Belize Defence Force (BDF).
CYPRUS
18.
The Gulf War proved once again the strategic importance of our bases in Cyprus in respect of both their Priority 1 and Priority 2 tasks. The geographic position of the island in relation to the Middle East, the USSR and the Balkans, coupled with the recent political developments within the region, mean that its importance to UK will remain high. Our Priority 1 capability will be enhanced in a number of ways over the next few years.
In the long term, our retention of the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) s will be
will be determined very largely by our standing with the Cypriot Government, and we must remain aware. of Cypriot sensitivities concerning the SBAS, particularly their use by other nationalities.
19. Although certain adjustments remain to be made, the new Joint HQ British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is now fully established and operational. A second resident infantry battalion deployed to the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) in March 1991 to replace the Cyprus Emergency Roulement Regiment (CERR) which formerly provided the infantry component within
component within the British Contingent (BRITCON),
(BRITCON), UN Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
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SECRET UK EYES A
and the