SECRET
FM MODUK
TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO U/N
OF 120845Z MAY
93
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO LONDON
INFO IMMEDIATE PRODROME PEKING
INFO IMMEDIATE HQBF HONG KONG
SECRET
I HKA 063!!
17 MAY 1993
RY
62
050266
MOHIAN 0584
STRY Achon Teten
Pa
SIC ACA/A2P
FCO FOR PS/FOREIGN SECRETARY AND HONG KONG DEPT.
1. FROM APS/S OF S FOR FCO (MR SAWERS), FCO (HK DEPT), PEKING FOR HMA, HQBF PERSONAL FOR CBF.
2. FOLLOWING IS MESSAGE FROM MR RIFKIND TO GOVERNOR PATTEN. QUOTE
FUTURE OF THE GARRISON.
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I WAS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR RESPONSE ON 29TH APRIL TO MY LETTER OF 15TH APRIL ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON. 53)I APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTIES YOU FACE WITH LEGCO OVER THE
QUESTION OF DEFENCE COSTS, AND UNDERSTAND WHY YOU FEEL UNABLE TO ENDORSE THE RETENTION OF A GARRISON BASED AROUND TWO INFANTRY BATTALIONS. I NOTE THAT PARAGRAPH 2 OF YOUR LETTER IMPLIES THAT, EVEN WITH ONLY ONE BATTALION, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE TASK OF REPLACING THE POLICE ON THE BORDER. HOWEVER, AS THE PAPER I SENT YOU MAKES CLEAR, IF THE GARRISON REDUCES TO ONE BATTALION IT WILL ONLY BE CAPABLE, IN THE EVENT OF AN INTERNAL SECURITY CRISIS, OF GUARDING THE DEFENCE ESTATE IN HONG KONG AND HELPING SECURE AN AIRHEAD FOR REINFORCEMENT. NO MILITARY RESOURCES WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO RELIEVE THE POLICE ON THE BORDER WITH CHINA UNTIL REINFORCEMENT ARRIVED.
ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT YOU CAN ACCEPT THIS POSITION, WE WILL NOW ADDRESS THE EARLY REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON TO ONE BATTALION. AS I MENTIONED TO YOU AT OUR MEETING ON 15TH APRIL, THERE ARE SOME ATTRACTIONS IN THIS FOR US, GIVEN GROWING PRESSURES ON ARMY MANPOWER. THE NEXT STEP IS FOR MINISTERS COLLECTIVELY TO CONSIDER IN OPD (K) THE POLITICAL, MILITARY AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF A MORE RAPID RUN DOWN OF THE GARRISON. THAT WORK IS UNDER WAY: WE WILL OF COURSE CONSULT YOU AS IT PROCEEDS. YOU ALSO SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER USING A BATTALION FOR DUTIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG. I CAN SEE CONSIDERABLE ADVANTAGE IN MOVING ONE OF THE GURKHA BATTALIONS TO CARRY OUT AN EMERGENCY TOUR IN BELIZE FROM OCTOBER 1993 TO MARCH 1994. ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT YOU ARE CONTENT WITH THIS, AND WITHOUT PREJUDGING
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