TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 76

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Стс пар вчень

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Mr. Moreton

I have been asked to send you this note in connection with the meeting with the Commander-in-Chief Far East that you are attending this afternoon. I hope that the note will serve as a brief for you on any points relating to the Hong Kong garrison which may be raised in the course of the meeting.

2.

There is a paper at (55) which gives the background to the situation: this paper was considered as a draft

recently by the Directors of Defence Plans and has been

accepted by them with two minor amendments mentioned in (57). For your purposes, the telegram at (52a) from CINCFE

summarises the points with which we are concerned.

3. The views of this Department are, very briefly, as

follows:-

(a) we agree with the Governor's assessment

(paragraph 4 of (55)) that the Hong Kong garrison should remain at 72/3rds major units

at least until early 1968 and, in fact, throughout 1968. This is in the light of what we know of Chinese intentions;

(b) we must be certain of the ability to reinforce

the Hong Kong garrison from Singapore. The

considerations mentioned in the latter part of

paragraph 5 of (55) lends strength to the case

for retaining an extra battalion in Hong Kong

throughout 1968;

(c) we support the proposal in paragraph 6 of (55)

that from 1970 onwards the garrison should be permanently raised to a strength of 72/3rds major

units by rotation on an unaccompanied basis from

the United Kingdom. We agree with the Governor's

view expressed in the last sentence of paragraph &

of (55) that such a policy would not affect the

confidence of the Colony if it were introduced

in the manner proposed in that paragraph;

(d) although we support the Governor's desire for a

permanent R.A.F. fighter presence in Hong Kong

(paragraph 6 of (52a)),we realise the difficulties

involved. We note that CINCFE recommends that the

M.O.D.(AIR) should examine the desirability of

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