SECRET
ZCZC
SECRET
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 18090OZ HONG KONG
TELNO
OF 171236Z JUNE 93
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
PERSONAL FOR PS/GH
Issue + box ce.
DESKBY
YOUR TELNO 972: WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON
1. WE HAVE CONSULTED MINISTERS WHO ARE CONTENT FOR THE PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE DELAYED UNTIL THREE WEEKS AFTER THE CHINESE
HAVE BEEN INFORMED. MR GOODLAD IS PREPARED TO CALL IN THE
CHINESE CHARGE ON 28 JUNE IF OPD (K) AGREE TO THE PAPER. WE WILL
COPY A DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE TO YOU AND COPY ADDRESSEES IN DUE
COURSE.
2.
MOD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONSULT THEIR MINISTERS IN TIME FOR
THIS TELEGRAM. THEY WILL GIVE YOU THEIR VIEWS IN TIME FOR THE
EXCO MEETING. AT OFFICIAL LEVEL THEY ACCEPT THAT THERE WILL NEED
TO BE A THREE WEEK DELAY BEFORE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND ARE
BROADLY CONTENT WITH THE PROPOSED LINE TO TAKE SAVE FOR ONE MINOR
NUANCE. THEY ARGUE THAT IF WE WERE TO STRESS THE POINT IN PARA 3
A) OF TUR OF THE ENORMOUS PRESSURES ON BRITISH FORCES ELSEWHERE,
IT WOULD DIMINISH THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN
HKD
On 17/6 1855 1%
AS
R.A.J.BUNTEN
270 2655