CONFIDENTIAL
D/Sec (0) (C) 6/7
6 June 1991
MA/Minister (AF)
copy to: APS/Secretary of State
PS/US of S(AF)
DPSO/CDS
PS/PUS
MA/CGS
PS/VCDS
ACDS (0)
AUS (C)
DROW
INDLA
Pa
78
HKE 063/1
1
19 JUN1991
COGLICEL
AA
DMO
DASD
Head of Sec(Pol Studies)
Head of RP (Army)
Head of GS Sec
DCPR
FCO (Hong Kong Dept) Mr Stone
HONG KONG GARRISON: WITHDRAWAL OF FIRST BATTALION
1. The Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan (CDS 7/87) currently assumes that one battalion of the four stationed in the Territory should be withdrawn in April 1992. This is based on the further assumption that the Hong Kong Police will, by that time, be in a position to take on security duties along half the land border with China. We have now reached the point where the proposal to withdraw the first battalion needs to be confirmed.
2. The Hong Kong government have confirmed that the Police will be able to take on the border task as scheduled. CBF Hong Kong also believes that there is no change in the overall military or security situation which would prevent withdrawal of the first battalion in 1992 as planned. The FCO too are content, subject to the Chinese being informed in advance of the withdrawal. (They were advised four years ago that the Withdrawal Plan envisaged removing the first battalion in 1992.) Withdrawal of the first battalion is of course linked to the planned amalgamation of 1/2 and 2/2 Gurkha Rifles which is the first step in reducing the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas to their post 1997 level. Advice on the amalgamation and the general question of the future of the Gurkhas is being co-ordinated by Head of RP (Army), and the latter question will be considered by OPD in the next few weeks. He and I are however in close touch to ensure that the handling of these two linked issues is co-ordinated in the MOD and elsewhere.
3. The Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan is being reviewed at the moment and is due to go the Chiefs of Staff by the end of
CONFIDENTIAL