Effer fly Boles dr Mr By Paul our tone
to see der Gass's
merinte below
CONFIDENTIAL
N
12/10.
Seantay &
SECRETARY OF STATE'S BILATERAL WITH DEFENCE SECRETARY
11 APRIL 1991: HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT
Points to make
2. HID
Thank you.
There was no time to
- Understand financial pressure to withdraw the three love this Peacock class patrol craft in 1991/92.
But strong political arguments:
promt. Forgi Saveing tow this Jefence Search
that he's
Current mood
bad for Hong Kong confidence in UK commitment (and bitterness after £15 m Gulf contribution). fragile.
سلیم
raise
it next time ル
-
Chinese will see a trick to make it harder for them in
1997 to install the PLA garrison with naval element a key political concern for them.
practical problem of incursions by Chinese gun-boats, ignoring Marine Police instructions.
- media may raise Falklands precedent.
ке "/
- Difficult MOD/HKG official discussions. Bad feelings over 1988 Defence Costs Agreement (DCA) row: Governor believes impossible to persuade LegCo Finance Committee to contribute
more than DCA 65%.
Have asked Governor to reflect imaginatively on accounting solutions. But essential that MOD also show flexibility and
imagination if we are to reach agreement.
BAGAFM/1
CC
But the Sefs did case it in the margins & Cabinet. In thing indertook to see if the to be plane. The bull is in anything to be plane.
CONFIDENTIAL has
Ar
MODs Court