SECRET 1⁄2 **
3
(d)
so will be severely tested in the cun up to
1997. MOD recognise that the process of
garrison withdrawal has the potential to
exacerbate any sense of insecurity in Hong
Kong in the run up to 1997: the withdrawal
plan must therefore be flexible enough to
avoid periods of special sensitivity.
Political context: the plan recognises the
undernoted political factors -
(ミ)
#
(ii)
the importance of HMG's responsibility
under the Joint Declaration for Hong
Kong's administration up to 1997;
the SARG's responsibility for the
maintenance of public order in Hong
Kong after 1997;
(iii) MG's wish to maintain a garrison
presence at a level above that of a
purely 'token force' in Hong Kong up to
1997, while recognising that the use of
such forces in Hong Kong will become
increasingly difficult and undesirable.
G.F. 316
SECRET &
高度機密