FC 3/8
SECRET
3 February, 1967.
7.
EXERCISE CARIC TURE
We heard, by accident, only a few days ago that a large- scale amphibious exercise was to take place in Hong Kong between 13 and 23 February. From the information available we had very grave doubts about the wisdom of proceeding with it.
You will have seen Commonwealth Office telegram No. 203 to Hong Kong and the Governor's reply. I now enclose a copy of Peking telegram No. 142, giving the Chargé d'Affaires comments.
2. We have since learnt that the Chiefs of Staff considered this question on 10 January. Neither we nor, I understand, the Come onwealth Office were invited to attend. Your Office have since sent us a copy of the relevant Annex, which shows that the Chiefs were anxious that the exercise should take place but decided to invite the Chief of the General Staff to discuss its possible implications with the Commander-in- Chief, Far Last, the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, and the Governor. The point was made that there might be some danger of this exercise being misunderstood and even construed as provocative. The C.G.8. is, I understand, due to return to London on 3 February and will presumably re ort his conversations to Chiefs of Starf.
3. With this in mind, we and the Commonwealth Office have carefully considered the points made by the Governor of Hong Kong and Hopson in the light of what we know about the exercise and of our estimate of Peking's likely reactions. As a result, we
re reinforced in our view that the exercise should be cancelled.
4.
The following are our reasons:
(a) although similar exercises have been held in
Hong Kong before this is on a much larger acale and involves the use of forces brought in from outside. We understand that the exercise is in the nature of a "battle" against insurgents. It will involve the use of two commando groups, fighter aircraft and about 30 helicopters, and certain naval units. There would be considerable military activity, including "pyrotechnic" explosions.
F. Cooper, 289., C.N.G..
A.U.. (Pol),
Ministry of Defence.
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/(b)
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