TOP SECKET
SECRETARY
OF
STATE
with China, when we might want to reinforce the colony with fighters, we could not undertake this overt step without heightening tension and so making the situation worse. I accept that a situation of this kind might occur, when we would be faced with invidious choice. On the other hand, however, it seems to me that we are at least us likely to find ourselves in a situation in which we might need to take some definite but limited step which would demonstrate our determination, and so help to support local morale, without involving any real escalation or setting any new and provocative precedent; and in such circumstances we might be very glad to have this shot still in our locker.
5.
I do not
think the withdrawal of fighter aircraft from the Far East would involve any real problem from this point of view. Before they were withdrawn we should no doubt make it clear that we would retain the capability to reinforce Hong Kong with fighter again, should the situation require it; and the fact that our radar and communications fucilities were kept in being would be an earnest that we meant what we said. We would in all likelihood continue to maintain a force of helicopters in Hong Kong anyway and their presence would also help to provide the necessary cover. I have had this point examined again by the staffs concerned and their advice is that the cover for our activities even if possibly, as you imply, of the fig-leaf variety - would not be significantly worse than it is now.
6.
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I am sending a copy of this letter to the Foreign Secretary.
Your
Jeni Dee
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED
IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
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