CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 063/1
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED RE
FM FCO
10101 1993
TO IMMEDIATE BANDAR SERI BEGAWANESK C
REGISTRY
TELNO 88
INDEX
PA
Action
OF 151228Z JULY 93
AND TO IMMEDIATE KATHMANDU
145
061624 MDHOAN 5704
RUN DOWN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON AND THE FUTURE
OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS
"
1 MOD will be announcing on 19 July Ministerially agreed plans for the withdrawal of the Hong Kong garrison by 30 June 1997.
The announcement will be by means of a Written Answer, the draft text of which is as follows:
BEGINS
Broad plans have now been finalised for the withdrawal of the Hong Kong garrison by 30 June 1997. Units of all three services the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force - will remain in Hong Kong until then. However, the garrison will continue to reduce in stages over the period, as local forces assume responsibility for its former operational tasks. In the latter part of 1994, the 1st Battalion the Black Watch will return to the UK and the two Gurkha battalions will merge to form the 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles. One battalion will remain in Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. The strength of logistic and other supporting units will be reduced in line with that of front-line units. The three Royal Navy patrol craft presently in Hong Kong will remain until June 1997. Royal Air Force helicopters will also remain in Hong Kong until 1997, although their numbers may be reduced. The plans mean that for the final two years of British sovereignty, the garrison will be about 3,000 strong. will comprise a headquarters, an infantry battalion group, Logistic support, naval patrol craft and Royal Air Force helicopters.
ENDS
It
2.
Given their interest in the future of the Brigade of Gurkhas, you should draw this to the attention of your host Government no sooner than 190900 local time, giving particular emphasis to the plans for the amalgamation of 2GR and 6GR in September 1994 to form 1RGR. You should stress that it was always our intention to carry out this amalgamation as part of our stated plans to reduce
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