SECRET
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 580
HKA 063/1
OF 141703Z JUNE 93
99
155763
MDHOAN 4268
RY TOP COPY
1-JUN 1993
GISTRY
tion Takeni
Q DIST?
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG-HONG KONG
PERSONAL FOR PS/GH FROM MORRIS, HKD
96
(92)
(97
OUR TELNO 575, YR TELNOS 950 AND 954 AND PEKING TELNO 805: WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON
1. We undertook in first TUR to give you our thoughts on the timetable for informing the Chinese of a decision to withdraw the UK Battalion in 1994. On the assumption that we are able to secure OPD (K) agreement by 25 June, the first date we could inform the Chinese of this would be 28 June. We recognise that the Chinese are likely to ask for a detailed briefing and that there is advantage in giving them a little time to digest the news before an announcement is made.
2.
However the longer the gap between the decision being taken and its announcement, the greater the risk of it leaking out. (To Lessen this risk, the MoD are prepared to ask CBF to take no staffing action on the decision until the public announcement is made, although he will no doubt wish to inform those affected shortly before it is made public). We believe that we should therefore allow the Chinese between 10 and 14 days warning, which would point to (more or less) simultaneous public announcements
If the in Hong Kong and Parliament on either 8 or 12 July. planned visit by the Secretary of State to Peking on 9 July goes ahead, we shall need to consider carefully how best to handle the relative timing of the visit and the announcement. The relevant factors will include the Chinese reaction to our briefing and the Likely public perception of our relationship between the Governor's return for consultations, the visit and our plans for the Garrison. We will need to consult the Secretary of State on
this.
3.
In speaking to the Chinese we believe that our basic approach should be to present the decision as the culmination of a measured period of planning and review, in the Light of our experience of eg the Police manning the border and other matters,
PAGE
SECRET
1