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REFERENCE IN THE PAPER TO THE 'COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUNDOWN'. ANY REQUIREMENTS HERE WILL ADD TO THE PRESSURE FOR SAVINGS ELSEWHERE.
7. AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND, I PROPOSE THAT THE REVIEW SHOULD EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF:
A) AN EARLIER DATE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF THE FIRST OF THE THREE REMAINING BATTALIONS: AND/OR
B) USING A BATTALION ON DUTIES OVERSEAS, PERHAPS IN SUPPORT OF OUR UN COMMITMENTS:
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C) AN EARLY RUNDOWN OF SUPPORT UNITS, INCLUDING THE OPTION OF UNACCOMPANIED SERVICE (ALTHOUGH I RECOGNISE THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS): AND
D) A FASTER. RUNDOWN TO A SINGLE BATTALION.
8. I WOULD ALSO BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER SPEEDING UP THE REVIEW ITSELF. WHEN WE MET IN JANUARY, YOU SAID THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO FINISH IT IN MAY OR JUNE RATHER THAN SEPTEMBER.
9. I HOPE IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO AMEND THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE REVIEW ALONG THE LINES I HAVE SUGGESTED. ONCE THE FRAMEWORK IS AGREED, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF OUR OFFICIALS WERE TO MEET TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES IN DEPTH. A HONG KONG TEAM WILL BE IN LONDON NEXT MONTH FOR THE REGULAR DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT TALKS. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND SUPPORTING OFFICIALS COULD BE AVAILABLE FOR DISCUSSIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THOSE TALKS. WE WILL PURSUE THIS WITH HQBF AND YOUR OFFICIALS.
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