CODE 18-77
NOTE FOR FILE
Mr Stone
T.1.
ра
Reference
ние 063/1
ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT: JLG VIII 1987 SPEAKING NOTE
1.
I spoke on the telephone to Martin Howard of the MOD this afternoon. I asked him if he had any recollection of whether the MOD had agreed the speaking note (or agreed different wording). He replied that JLG VIII was before his time and to find out the above would take a great deal of time.
2.
Mr Howard did say, however, that whether or not the speaking note had been agreed between the FCO and the MOD was largely an academic point. What was important was what had been said at JLG VIII. The MOD's interpretation of this was that it did not constitute a commitment to retain the vessels. HMG had only undertaken to review what the requirement for a naval presence would be. MOD could conclude therefore that a frigate visiting Hong Kong three times a year was sufficient!
G Coglin
Gilin coglin.
7 June 1991
WINAKR
8.1.