From: DJ Bowen
CONFIDENTIAL
Head of Secretariat (Overseas) (Commitments)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB
6144
Telephone (Direct Dialling) 071-21-8 (Switchboard) 071-21-89000
D/Sec(0)(C) 6/7
RAJ Bunten Esq
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London
SW1A 2AH
Dear Rod,
HKA
REC
063/1
JUN 199
199
1 June 1993
HONG KONG:
FUTURE OF THE GARRISON
79
Thank you for your letter of 28 May recording the Governor's comments on the draft OPD(K) paper. We will, of course, be taking the points about the current strength of the
RHKP.
As regards the Governor's squeamishness about recording that the DCA was breached, I will need to consult further with my colleagues who are responsible for DCA matters. But I have to say that I regard it as a terminological inexactitude to say that payment was merely deferred at the end of the financial year 1992/3. The HKG did not pay its fourth quarter bill by the due date and made it plain beforehand that they would not do so because they were not prepared to seek the necessary funding from the Finance Committee of Legco. The reference in the suggested drafting change to "unexpected" additional costs is not helpful and we would not be prepared to accept it.
I will be in touch later in the week to let you know how we propose to deal with this and seek your agreement.
Yes zur
DBrond.
100% Recycled Paper
CONFIDENTIAL
83