TNAG-0061-FCO40-97-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 36

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CYPHER/CAT A

PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1353

TO HONG KONG

2 AUGUST 1968 (HWB 10/9)

SECRET.

ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1353 OF 2 AUGUST REPEATED

FOR INFORMATION TO POLAD SINGAPORE.

HONG KONG GARRISON.

48.

IN HIS SIGNAL SEACOS 113 TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (COPY TO - COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG) COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FAR EAST STATES THAT COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG HAS ASKED FOR

AUTHORITY TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUTURE STRENGTH OF THE GARRISON. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THIS REQUEST HAS YOUR SUPPORT

AND WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.

2. WE ARE DOUBTFUL OF THE NEED TO VOLUNTEER A FURTHER STATEMENT

ON THIS SUBJECT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

(A) ANY FORMAL CONFIRMATION WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY PROMPT FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE GARRISON. AS YOU KNOW WE ARE NOT YET IN A POSITION TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE RA.F. ELEMENT AND IN ANY EVENT IT SEEMS SOMEWHAT PREMATURE TO RELEASE INFORMATION NOW OF WHAT IS TO TAKE PLACE MORE THAN THREE

YEARS HENCE.

(B) AS YOU KNOW WE ARE HOPING THAT EXIT VISAS WILL VERY SHORTLY BE ISSUED FOR A NUMBER OF OUR MISSION STAFF IN PEKING. WE SHOULD NOT WANT ANY ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE MADE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE WHICH

THE PEKING GOVERNMENT COULD USE AS AN EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO ISSUE

VISAS.

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/(C) IF THE ARRIVAL