SECRET UK EYES A
4. Assistance to British Citizens Overseas. The pattern of
British activities overseas has resulted in large numbers of
British citizens living and working 00A, and HMG acknowledges some commitment to their protection. This commitment takes military form in JTPs for SAE and SPE, which are likely to remain in effect with minor variations. Both assume agreement on the part of the host nations, but the latter cover the need to insert a protective force by air or sea. There is also a responsibility for the protection of British merchant shipping. (^)
5. Defence Agreements and Understandings. The legacy of Empire can be seen again in the pattern of the UK's Defence Agreements and Understandings. Of these, two can probably be considered dead letters whether they remain officially extant or not: the Manila Pact, following the demise of SEATO in 1977; and a 1947 agreement with Sri Lanka, by mutual consent (5). The FPDA between the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore will still probably be in force, taking into account the UK's economic interests in the region, as may be the treaty with Brunei, though the associated Gurkha battalion might have been withdrawn. These agreements require joint consultation in the event of an attack on Malaysia or Singapore, and on matters of mutual concern in the case of Brunei. Neither commits the UK specifically to the use of force and clearly much depends on the parties' perceptions. In Korea, following the end of the war in 1953 the UK, as a contributor to the UN force, undertook to be prompt to resist
a renewed attack. This is not deemed to be a legally binding obligation, however ("), and the small UK contribution to the UN Honour Guard may well prove impractical to sustain following the withdrawal from Hong Kong. In the Gulf area the extent of the UK's energy and commercial interests indicate that current Treaties of Friendship with Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, which also require joint consultation, will probably
"CB 3012 Guide to International Maritime Law.
CDS 38/88 - OOA Strategy Review. "CDS 38/88 - OOA Strategy Review.
anb.2s1
B-3
UK EYES A SECRET