SECRET
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE MODUK
TELNO U/N
OF 171052Z MAY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO, PEKINGKA 063/1
RECEIV
17 A 1993
T
SIC
DESK
Action Toke
63
062163
MDHIAN 1140
SECRETAR
PERSONAL FOR DEFENCE SECRETARY
FUTURE OF THE GARRISON
1. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELPFUL AND POSITIVE MESSAGE OF 12 MAY 1993, AND FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION HERE.
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 GARRISON'S COSTS.
I SUPPORT YOU PROPOSAL FOR A TEMPORARY REDEPLOYMENT OF ONE OF
THE GURKHA BATTALIONS LATER THIS YEAR.
3.
4.
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 FORMER'S 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
YYYY