CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES A
140
Ms Sarah Eventt.
News Dept MBS 12/2
D/Sec (0) (C) 6/7
12 July 1993
Press Secretary
copy to: APS/Secretary of State
PS/Minister (AF)
PS/US of s
DPSO/CDS
PS/PUS
MA/DCDS (C)
ACDS (0)
AUS (C)
૪
HVA 063/1
G JUL 1993
AUS (GF)
ACGS
DO (FEW)
DPO
FCO (Hong Kong Dept)
HONG KONG FUTURE OF THE GARRISON
1. You will be aware that there has been considerable press interest, both here and in Hong Kong, about the possibility of further reductions in the size of the Hong Kong garrison. You will also be aware that we plan to make an announcement on this on 19 July: drafts of this are in preparation and will be submitted for Ministerial approval within the next 24 hours.
2. In the meantime, press officers both here and in Hong Kong should take the following interim line:
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- As we have said on many occasions, the garrison will be reduced in stages between now and 1997. Some reductions have already taken place.
No final decisions yet taken on further significant reductions. When they are announcements will be made in the usual way. Not prepared to say when such announcements will be made.
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[If pressed on pulling out Black Watch] Not prepared to speculate. Nothing to add to main statement.
3. I will keep you in touch with the development of the terms of
the announcement.
CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES A
Marte Hamand
Малт
M L HOWARD Sec (0) (C) MB5314 86272MB
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