Your Ref: D/SEC(O) (C) 6/7 Our Ref:
Date: 24 May 1993
BY FLASH TUBE
D Bowen Esq
SEC(O) (C)
Room 5314
Main Building MOD
SECRET
270-2213
HONG KONG: FUTURE OF THE GARRISON
1. Thank you for your letter of 19 May enclosing the two-star draft of the OPD (K) paper. I am pleased to see that it has taken into account the comments made by Hong Kong Department on the earlier draft. I notice that the draft still refers to Hong Kong being in breach of the DCA. I am aware that there is strong feeling about this in the MOD, but I do feel that this is not really necessary for OPD (K) to consider. Your views will have been made clear to the Governor when he saw this draft, and doubtless you will have spoken to Alistair Asprey about it during his visit here. While we do not object to the references in Paragraphs 3 and 14 we hope that you will feel able to withdraw them.
2. We will need to submit the paper to our Secretary of State in parallel to you. I should therefore be grateful if you could ensure that we receive a copy of the final version before you submit it to Ministers.
CO Hum
SECRET