Reference...
Ser Anther Submith.
Mr. Hay
we discussed with Sui A. Galsworthy
and $
Submit a verniel draft (below) on agreed lives.
1.5. Car
8/3/68
Mr. Hal
Sir Morrice James' minute of 20 February.
We are thinking only in terms of a permanent fighter presence in Hong Kong in the medium and long term future, i.e. when the run down of our forces in the Far East makes it impossible to continue any longer the present arrangement whereby detachments of fighter aircraft are periodically provided for the Colony from the aircraft deployed in the theatre. This is clear from paragraphs 13 and 15 of (59). See also paragraphs 2 and 4 of minute flagged A.
2.
The study into which this current M.0.D. exercise will eventually fit is, as Sir A. Galsworthy says, one dealing with the future size and composition of the entire military forces in Hong Kong. This in turn will form part of a larger study being undertaken in connection with the White Paper on defence policy to be issued next July which will "indicate firm plans for the rundown consequent on our withdrawal from Malaysia, Singapore and the Gulf by 31 December, 1971" and will look forward to our subsequent stance in 1972-73" (see OPDO (68)3 at (101A) on WB 10/2 attached.
3. However, misunderstanding about the purpose of our letter could, I can see, easily stem from the Governor's saving despatch at (69), which is somewhat equivocal possibly deliberately so. See in particular the last sentence of paragraph 7 of that despatch, which suggests that existing arrangements for visits are not working so satisfactorily as we thought. This reason apart, the Governor may have felt encouraged to press for an early reversion to a permanent presence by the interest expressed by the Minister of State during his visit last year. But I do not think we can change the advice we gave in December (Flags A and B) against asking for a permanent presence now. To do so would probably lessen whatever chances we may have of our request for such a presence in the medium and long term being taken seriously. Our new arguments rest substantially on Hong Kong's nakedness after
Singapore ceases to be able to back up our forces in the Colony.
4. To clarify the point, I suggest an addition to the penultimate paragraph of the draft letter to Mr. Healey, as indicated on the draft.
23 February, 1968
Sur Britten falmouths.
W... Cartie ал
(W.S. Carter)
Marie James wishes to during this. Both Mr Carter & I thinking of the time when Sagayon could not be and as a lose fou whit fighter awwift could I deployed in Hong Kong,
even
be
234
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