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CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES A
ENCLOSURE 1 TO D/ACDS (0)/181/34 DATED 1 MAR 93
SUMMARY
THE 1993 REVIEW OF THE HONG WITHDRAWAL PLAN
KONG GARRISON OUTLINE
BACKGROUND
1.
The initial study into the future of the Hong Kong Garrison was begun in 1985. Two years later CDS 7/87 was published. The Chiefs of Staff directed that the Withdrawal Plan be reviewed every two years up to the point of departure from Hong Kong in 1997. The first Review was carried out in 1989. The last Review was carried in 1991, and the next Review is required in 1993; with an original completion date of September 1993. The form, general content and staffing timetable for the 1993 Review were agreed by the Hong Kong Steering Committee (HKSC) on 10 September 1992. The last Review will be that conducted in 1995.
2. The system of "rolling reviews" was designed to take account of developments and adjustments of HMG's policy. This policy will itself be predicated on the prevailing political and economic situation in Hong Kong, on HMG relationship with the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) Government in Peking; and, to a lesser extent, on changing political and military circumstances world-wide. As with previous reviews of the OWP, MOD's principal task is to provide the strategic and policy guidance and inputs; as well as assembling and producing the document in a form that will best ensure its easy staffing transition to COS for endorsement, Ministerial approval in due course.
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THE 1993 REVIEW PROCESS
3. Aim. The aim of the 1993 Review is to review the Hong Kong Garrison Outline Withdrawal Plan (CDS 7/87) as amended by the 1991 Review and the MOD policy papre 'The Rundown of the Hong Kong Garrison to 1997', with a view to making recommendations for defence policy decisions leading to the development of the Hong Kong
Garrison Withdrawal Plan.
4. The Modified Approach to the 1993 Review.
In order to facilitate the effective staffing of the 1993 Review and produce a document founded firmly upon clear policy guidance endorsed at ministerial level and by the Hong Kong Government (HKG), it was decided subsequent to the HKSC 10 September 1992, to adopt a modified staffing approach to the 1993 Review process. A submission was prepared for SofS in January/February 1993, in a short paper which set out, with recommendations, the main options for key aspects of the withdrawal from Hong Kong. The paper invites SofS agreement, and proposes that a letter be sent to the Governor of Hong Kong, seeking his support on these major matters of policy. The key policy matters contained in that submission, which will shortly be forwarded to Sofs, are:
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CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES A