DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG GARRISON WITHDRAWAL PLAN
34. A summary of the Garrison projected withdrawal programme 1994 to 1997 is at Annex C. It will be re-issued as a separate document as amendments to it become necessary. Preparation of the detailed Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan by HQBF HK should now begin, based on the policy guidance provided in this paper; it should be completed by Dec 95. The HKSC should be updated on the development of the plan at each HKSC meeting from Sep 94.
35. Aspects of the command and control of the final withdrawal will be studied by the Joint Force Operations Staff (JFOS) in 1994. Any special contingency arrangements that might be required for the evacuation of specific UK personnel in extremis during the final three years of British Sovereignty should be incorporated in the plan. Consideration of the inclusion of a positive campaign of psychological operations in the Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan should be undertaken by
by the MOD Directorate of Joint Warfare with HQBF HK, and with advice of the
FCO.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS AND THE DCA
36. The financial penalty to the MOD and the impact on the DCA of the faster rundown of the Garrison was covered in the OPD(K) submission and the changes to the agreed LTC 93 provision will be costed within LTC 94. There may be some residual disposal tasks handled by contractors, but it should be assumed for planning purposes that all financial business will be completed before 30 Jun 97. The necessary arrangements will need to be settled with the HKG in due course.
RESIDUAL ISSUES
37. There will undoubtedly be residual issues to be addressed during the formulation of the withdrawal plan over the next two years. The detail and extent of this activity cannot yet be determined, but will include details of the final 12 months of British Sovereignty (and of the final 3 months in particular). The FCO should consider the need for a services assisted evacuation (SAE) JTP for Hong Kong post-Jun 97. The need for a formal biennial review in 1995 of the Garrison withdrawal arrangements should be considered by the HKSC at its next meeting.
38. It is concluded that:
a.
CONCLUSIONS
The BFHK concept of operations will need to be revised to reflect the amended requirements set out by the HKG, but should continue to be based on two infantry battalions and support services. The second battalion will not be based in
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CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT