TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 154

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Part I to COS 16th Meeting/68 12th March 1968

F. SEATO Future United Kingdom Policy

SIR CHARLES BLWORTHY said that the Commander-in-Chief, East, required a brief from which to make a statement on future United Kingdom policy to SELTO when he attended the SEATO Military Advisers Meeting (MA 28C), to be held in Wellington 28th/30th March 1968. The Assistant Under- Secretary (Policy) had prepared a note (17) which had been agreed with representatives of the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Officc. The Committee would wish to consider this note but he would first invite the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, to comment,

GENERAL CARVER said that the note provided the guidance which he required. However he was concerned at the decision to announce the termination of United Kingdom force declarations to Plans 5, 6 and 7 at this time. Whilst appreciating that this would be a logical and rational approach, it would lessen the effect on our announcement about future intentions on other Plans if no reference was made to Plans 5, 6 and 7 at MA 280, bearin; in mind that withdrawals of force declarations from these Plans was not a military necessity and that it was inconceivable that any of these Plans would be invoked. He agreed that no force declaration should now be made to Plan 9.

MR SYKES (Foreign Office) said that it was never easy to find a suitable occasion to withdraw force declarations, and, in their opinion, MA 280 would be an appropriate time since a general statement on future United Kingdom policy was expected. Plans 5 and 7 were in abeyance whilst Plan 6 was not liked, If the announcement of our intentions on these Plans was to be delayed, the United Kingdom might be placed in an embarrassing position if there was a dramatic change of situation in South East Asia.

In discussion, the following points were made:

S. The question of timing for the announcement of withdrawals of force declarations must remain a political decision. If the Commander-in-Chief, Far East was questioned as to the military necessity for withdrawing from Plans 5, 6 and 7 he should suggest that the subject might be raised at the SEATO Council which is to follow MA 280.

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It was agreed that the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, should forward a copy of his statement in confidence to the Australian and New Zealand Chiefs of Staff Committees through BDLS Canberra and Wellington respectively, seven days prior to MA 280.

น. It was also agreed that the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, should inform Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, verbally of the contents of the statement 24 hours before the Meeting.

Summing up, SIR CHARLES ELWORTHY said that they would agree that the note (17) should be used by the Commander-in-Chief,

Note:

17. COS 1120/8/3/68.

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