07 MAY 198ECRET
From:
R A Burns
Date:
7 May 1991
Cc:
PS/PUS
Sir J Coles
Mr Paul, HKD
MINISTOL
PS/Lord Cait
ithness
J
Ao
agree
with this. this.
We must be careful
HONG KONG : ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT
came
support
Private Secretary be from China and
about the defence of H.K. The only attach could
if it
we could do thing about it. We should stress that this is
and back up to H.K. marke police and as we approach 1997 it is right that H.K! people aricume 1. I agree with this advice, albeit reluctantly, since it more, seems to me that the Chinese will see this as a sign of
responsibility British weakness and lack of resolve in fulfilling our
for their own responsibilities for the defence of Hong Kong.
affairs. faced The Sio.S. might like to know that there is one of the HK. This is the very best that the Hong Kong Government can rebels do without going back to the Finance Committee of Legco. All involved the advice is that this would precipitate an almighty row. in the Reducing our naval presence will worry the Chinese (as regards their own future naval position in Hong Kong), but it off will also give them a cause they can exploit against us both
Malaysia politically in Hong Kong and through their own naval incursions into Hong Kong waters. It could also fuel public and related anxiety in Hong Kong about London's lack of interest. to the five power
defence agreement.
2.
3.
So I hope the Secretary of State will agree to 'speak
exercial
personally and firmly to the Defence Secretary. on the last Nothing to
HIC
yet
the
occasion, his officials immediately contrived to brush aside do with the conversation by claiming that it had been agreed that the ball was in Hong Kong's court. The Secretary of State should stress therefore that the Governor can only be expected to send a team over to discuss the details if it is accepted that this particular solution will meet MOD's requirements.
4.
65 cars are
If the Defence Secretary refuses to accept a deal on this basis, then I fear the Hong Kong Government will argue that they can do no more and must therefore leave it to the FCO either to find the difference or to decide to reduce the naval presence entirely.
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Andrew Run
R A Burns