TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 155

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Part I to COS 44th Meeting/67 6th June 1967

ANNEX TO MINUTE 1

SECRETARY OF STATE

1.

In your minute MO 5/14, Pt 2 dated 18th April 1967 you agreed that, as a reduction of one major unit in Hong Kong had to be mado, we should plan on the withdrawal of the Artillery Regiment, less one battery, and the Pack

Transport Squadron. No final decision on the timing of

the announcement of these moves or of the moves themselves

has yet been made. The whole subject is due to be

considered again in June 1967.

2. The Commander-in-Chief, Far East, has received a signal from the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, endorsing the views of the Governor of Hong Kong, that the decision to withdraw one major unit should be shelved for the time being. He states that it would be impossible to avoid any suspicion that we are intending to withdraw the Artillery Regiment, less one battery, if staff work in preparation for the

withdrawal is continued.

The Commander British Forces, Hong

Kong, recommends that all preparations for the withdrawal are entirely suspended. The Commander-in-Chief, Far East,

supports this recommendation and further considers that the decision to reduce the garrison at Hong Kong by one major unit should be reversed, and that there should be no change

in the current force levels.

3. We agree with the views expressed by the Governor of Hong Kong and the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, supported by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East.

Furthermore

the Governor has expressed concern (1) that the announcements

Note:

1. Hong Kong to CO No 750 of 1st June 1967.

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