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ANNEX A TO DOP 4/68 (Final)
Continued)
V-Bomber Support for SEATO
440 We agree that after 1st April 1969, SEATO force declarations will be limited to those naval, amphibious and air forces that could be made available fro... Far East Command. However, V-bombers from the United Kingdom might continue to be declared to SEATO Plan 4 after this date. Stocks of equipment and armament specifically in support of the 24 V-bombers declared to SEATO Plan 4 will be retained until 1st April 1970. Thereafter no support will be provided in the theatre at either Butterworth or Tengah, and any further support to SEATO by V-bombers will have to be provided from the United Kingdom, with the acceptance of an increased reaction time and supporting airlift.
Other V-Bomber Reinforcement and Exercises
45. Similarly, any national requirement to reinforce FEAF with V- bombers can be accepted until 1st April 1970. Exercise detachments may also be continued until that date. Thereafter, unless arrangements for the retention of some ground equipment and armaments on our behalf are agreed with our Commonwealth allies in the meantime, existing stocks will be withdrawn from the theatre and further deployments and detachments, if required, will need to be given support from the United Kingdom.
Command and Control
46. The plan states that by the end of 1970 the Commander Far East Land Forces would probably be of two star rank and might combine the appointment of Major General Brigade of Gurkhas. Since the bulk of the Gurkhas will by then have shifted to Hong Kong, and since their morale may well be under great strain at this time, as Gurkha disbandment may have been announced, it is for consideration whether the Major General Brigade of Gurkhas should be in Hong Kong from about the end of 1970.
Training Visits
47. Although not directly relevant to the withdrawal plan, it should be borne in mind that HM Government envisages that, by agreement, forces from all three Services will continue to pay training visits from 1972 onwards to Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. In particular, the retention of the use of the facilities of the Jungle Warfare School in Malaysia would be invaluable. In order to avoid imposing an undue strain on the resources of host countries it might be necessary to position a pool of training equipment in the area.
Communications
48. We agree with the Commander-in-Chief that the outline plan for the rundown of communications facilities cannot be produced until a number of inter-related factors have been resolved, Action is in hand on those aspects within our immediate competence; meanwhile, decisions are being sought on the Commonwealth communi- cations needed after our withdrawal and on the future communications requirements for the Air Defence of Malaysia and Singapore.
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