TNAG-0182-FCO40-218-Defence-contributions-1969 — Page 67

2517

41

11.15am.

al

seh

ÿ Mr Gwynn

Mr Gealing

Pl.

would like to ring.

M. Gelling Mh. Nicholls.

Sir Leslie Monson

(Tg)

42

робрать

Come to a menting on profered

вый

W

w'the Gwynn's law in Thurang

I consider there would be advantage in a meeting next week as proposed by Mr. Gwynn, MOD, in the attached letter.

2.

Wor

The current Hong Kong defence contribution does not

expire until the end of March 1971. In the normal course of events I would not have expected (in fact would have resisted) overtures for the negotiation of a new agreement

before mid-1970. But the Governor's proposal that we should

try and reach some agreement at official level on the new contribution before he puts the question to his unofficial

and we showed support it. advisers in Executive Council is a good one The sooner we let the Governor know that we are prepared to play it this

way the better. There may be a long and hard argument ahead

and it is in any case likely that some time will elapse before

the Governor will feel able to put forward his first proposals.

3. I see our proposed meeting with the MOD and Treasury as mainly for the purpose of establishing the lines on which we should now respond to the Governor's suggestion. Mr. Gwynn

suggests that we also have some preliminary discussion of our objectives in the negotiations with Hong Kong. I see no harm in some exploration of this but we must avoid any firm commit-

ments at this stage. Some fairly explosive issues will have

to be faced and we shall, in my view, need a lot of time to decide what line we should take (possibly after consultation with the Governor in October).

4. I would like to suggest that we go for a meeting on Thursday, 31 July. I have not suggested an earlier date because, in Mr. Gaminara's absence, I shall have to prepare

the brief and will need time to reflect on it.

5. I am sending a copy of this minute and the letter to Mr. Sykes (DPD) who may wish to consider whether he would like to attend the proposed meeting.

L. 5. Carter

(W. S. Carter)

Hong Kong Department

25 July, 1969