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2/12
Good,
SECRET
Mr
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LEEPS
PS) Mr Goodlag
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Sir TDaunt
Mr Lever
HKD
22 172
Mr Donnelly, NPDD
MAY
лу
FCS/93/230
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
063/1.
р.а.
HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
063
RECEN
ISTRY
I wrote to you on 19 November to say that I proposez to seek the Governor's views on your new proposal for the HopISTRY Kong Garrison. I enclose his response.
INDLX
Action Taken
2. In my view, the Governor puts forward decisive arguments against your proposal. I agree that it would be damaging to
our authority in Hong Kong, and a propaganda gift to the Chinese, if it became apparent that we were trying to extract
extra funds from Hong Kong to pay for a more expensive
garrison than Hong Kong needed.
3. Malcolm Rifkind could pursue your proposal through the
established channel with the Hong Kong Government. But unless some way could be found to avoid burdening Hong Kong with the
extra costs, the Governor's message makes plain what the
response would be. I would be strongly opposed to pushing the Governor on this to the point where a constitutional crisis
with LegCo became a possibility. We will have enough problems administering Hong Kong over the next three and a half years
without that.
4. I am copying this minute to other members of OPD (K) and
to Sir Robin Butler.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
1 December 1993
(DOUGLAS FURD)
вообрание
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