CONFIDENTIAL
joining it? Should we not in any case describe WEU/FAWEU and the Planning Cell before any mention of the Franco-German Corps?
as well as security
Paragraph 11: Amend to read " measures. They continue to cooperate closely with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on security matters. As part of
Paragraph 15: Delete last sentence.
Paragraph 41:
Amend heading to read "...to exercise stability, security and defence of the territory."
Amend main text to read
"The Government retains a British military presence on Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to maintain security and defence of the territory, and to exercise our sovereign rights. A small naval party (42 personnel) is charged with this task, which includes governmental administrative functions (law and order) on behalf of the Commissioner of the territory. Under the UK/US agreement of 1976, the United States established are 1,500 US service personnel and 1,400 contractors' personnel on the island."
Box on nuclear forces
there
Paragraph 2. We are uneasy about the inclusion of the word "initially" in the second sentence. Despite what the paragraph goes on to say, this has a flavour of "but later more than...". The "mid-1990's" reference to the timing of Trident's entry into service should be worked into paragraph 1, where it more naturally belongs.
Amend to read "...security needs. Each Trident submarine will enter into service carrying no more than 128 warheads. The exact number to be deployed will be decided in the light of circumstances at the time. The prospective major ..."
Paragraph 3. We would like to see any additional material about possible replacement of the sub-strategic capability that is inserted into the draft, assuming the decision has been taken and privately notified to Allies - by then. This would need to say something positive about Trident in a sub-strategic role.
Chapter 3
Paragraph 18: Is it really true to say that the UK is the only European nation which can station substantial forces in Germany? What about France?
NM/lett0511sde
CONFIDENTIAL