CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT TELEGRAM TO KATHMANDU BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
ANNEX C
RUN DOWN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON AND THE FUTURE OF THE
BRIGADE OF GURKHAS
1.
MOD will be announcing on 19 July 1993 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 reads as follows:
"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. It will compromise a headquarters, an infantry
battalion group, logistic support, naval patrol craft and
Royal Air Force helicopters."
2. Given their interest in the future of the Brigade of
Gurkhas, you should draw this to the attention of the
CONFIDENTIAL