CONFIDENTIAL
HKL
(DXB)
Chapter Three
Government's sovereign rights. Its tasks include administrative functions
on behalf of the Commissioner of the Territory. Under an agreement
made in 1976, the United States established naval and air facilities on
Diego Garcia for an initial period of 50 years. Currently there are over 1,500
US Service and 1,400 contractors' personnel on the island.
Military Task 1.20: The Security of Hong Kong
339. The Government aims to ensure stability and confidence in Hong
Kong in the period leading to handover in 1997, and to maintain the security of the colony to facilitate an orderly and stable withdrawal. The garrison's primary role is to demonstrate British sovereignty and to
support the Hong Kong civil authorities in maintaining internal security
and stability. 65% of the garrison's full costs are met by the Hong Kong government. Contingency plans exist for reinforcement of the garrison during emergencies.
340. The garrison is currently centred on three infantry battalions, two of
which are Gurkha, supported by engineer, transport and signals units;
three Royal Navy patrol craft; and one squadron of RAF Wessex
helicopters.
341. Plans for the staged withdrawal of the Hong Kong garrison are
reviewed regularly. Key future decisions will include the timing of the
withdrawal of the second and third Gurkha battalions and associated
infrastructure, helicopter force levels, and management of the last 12 months before withdrawal. These plans will need to ensure that the handover to China is achieved in a manner that will ensure the stability
and confidence of Hong Kong and its people, and the maintenance of its
CONFIDENTIAL
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