CAB115 17/1227 13701365
FOR CAB
IMMEDIATE 171052Z MAY 93
FROM
TO
GOVERNOR HONG KONG MODUK
SECRET
TOP
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DIRECTION
SECRET
SIC Z99
SIC PERSONAL/FOR/DEFENCE/SECRETARY
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE MODUK
TELNO U/N
OF 1710522 MAY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO, PEKING
PERSONAL FOR DEFENCE SECRETARY
FUTURE OF THE CARRISON
1. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELPFUL AND POSITIVE MESSAGE OF 12 MAY
AND FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION HERE.
1993, 2.
I NOTE THAT MINISTERS WILL NOW COLLECTIVELY CONSIDER IN OPD(K) THE POLITICAL, MILITARY AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF A MORE RAPID RUN-DOWN OF THE GARRISON. ON THE MAIN POINT YOU RAISE ON THE MILITARY ASPECTS, I BOW TO YOUR JUDGEMENT ON THE CAPABILITIES OF A SINGLE BATTALION. THE ASSESSMENT HERE IS THAT THE RISKS SHOULD BE TOLERABLE PROVIDED THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE REINFORCEMENT PLAN. THIS WILL CLEARLY BE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR OPD(K), ALONGSIDE THE KEY POLITICAL IMPERATIVE OF SECURING A STEADY DECLINE IN THE GARRISONS COSTS.
3.
I SUFFORT YOU PROPOSAL FOR A TEMPORARY REDEPLOYMENT OF ONE OF THE GURKHA BATTALIONS LATER THIS YEAR.
A =
I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS AT THE VERY USEFUL MEETING I HAD WITH VICE-ADMIRAL HILL-NORTON AND THE CBF DURING THE FORMERS VISIT TO HONG KONG LAST WEEK. A HONG KONG TEAM WILL BE IN LONDON ON 24 MAY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH YOUR STAFF. I AM SURE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE WERE BOTH TO KEEP CLOSELY IN TOUCH AS THINKING DEVELOPS OVER THE COMING WEEKS. PATTEN
BT
DISTRIBUTION
299
Z
ICAB
1 S OF S ACTION ( CWE 1 CDSDO)
8/92 15539