CONFIDENTIAL
Private Office have said that in view of the Secretary o
personal interest in the question of the replacement o.
ENDURANCE the text of this submission and the draft minut. od
faxed to him in New York.
P. L. thut
PL Hunt
SOUTH ATLANTIC & ANTARCTIC DEPT
25 September 1991
From: Date:
A J Beamish
25 September 1991
1. As Mr Hunt argues, apart from the Polar Circle there is no long term replacement for ENDURANCE in sight. We therefore need to press the MOD to make a long term commitment.
2.
We also need to emphasise that the task of upholding contested British sovereignty in the South Atlantic and Antarctic is a task for the MOD and that it should therefore be a charge on the MOD budget.
3.
At this stage, I do not think we need to press
the Defence Secretary for a decision on the overall question of the defence of the Dependent Territories but it is right to note that the Secretary of State's request is still outstanding.
4.
5.
I have made one or two amendments to the draft. [uncorporated]
I therefore support recommendations 2(i) and (ii).
PH1ADE/4
(A J Beamish)
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