TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 54

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DRAFT

Political Considerations.

The Commonwealth Office have reaffirmed,

after consulting the Governor again, that they are satisfied that the

gradual introduction of unaccompanied service commencing with the

relief of 1 WELCH would not affect the confidence of the Colony as a

whole or of the British civilian community adversely, provided that

the decision were presented suitably. They have taken this view in

full awareness that notice would have to be given to the relief

battalion during December, and that we could not guarantee secrecy

thereafter. The Foreign Office consider that, again provided there

were suitable presentation, the Chinese would not regard such a

decision as a sign of lack of resolution and that it would not

encourage them to increase pressure.

9.

Presentation.

We could not either in connection with the

-

relief of 1 WELCH or subsequently more generally maintain publicly

or with the units concerned that we were sending troops unaccompanied

for reasons of safety or in order to give them greater freedom of

action. Nor could we maintain that a decision to send the relief for

1 WELCH unaccompanied was taken to reduce overseas expenditure,

without compromising the subsequent general decision it would be very

difficult to explain a subsequent reversion to accompanied service.

However Q6 point_7. [ ̄Q6

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