7
A
:
22 MAR 1991
miniti org/cait
PS/Lord Caithness
HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 22 March 1991
と
cc: Sir J Coles
Mr Burns
HKB 063 / 1 Pa
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
0 8 APR 1991
ра
DESE
CEA
RES
INDEX
i j
Problem
We owe Mr Hamilton a reply to his letter of 26 February
about Hong Kong patrol craft.
1.
Recommendation
2. The Secretary of State has agreed to take the matter up
with the Defence Secretary on his return from Hong Kong and
China. In the meantime, a holding reply is needed. I
submit a draft.
Background
3. The Governor raised the question of the patrol craft during his recent visit. He explained to the Secretary of State that the patrol boats were needed to prevent Chinese
incursion into Hong Kong waters and that if they were removed, the Chinese would see it as a British ploy to de-legitimise a Chinese naval presence after the handover. The Secretary of State agreed that he would discuss the matter with the Defence Secretary after his return from the
Far East.
4.
The Ministry of Defence are keen to bring the matter to a head as soon as possible. Moreover, there is a risk that the issue could become overtaken by the wider questions in
LEGAFE/1
CONFIDENTIAL
38