TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 131

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)

DOP Note 706/70 (Draft)

7 August 1970

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CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

DEFENCE OPERATIONAL PLANNING STAFF

STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE WORLD-WIDE DEPLOYMENTS TO MEET

THE NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITMENT

Draft Note by the Defence Operational Planning Staff

1. As instructed (1) the following study on the possible

alternative world-wide deployments to meet the Northern Ireland

commitment has been undertaken in conjunction with the Navy and

Army Departments and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

2. The Chiefs of Staff recently discussed (1) a paper (2)

prepared by the Navy and Army Departments which examined, inter alia,

which two major units in the infantry role could be withdrawn from

Northern Ireland after 17 August 1970 provided that the period

until then was peaceful. It was pointed out, however, that owing

to recent events in the Province it was now very unlikely that the

GOC Northern Ireland would be able to agree to any reduction from

the present below a level of 12 major units. This study considers

what alternative world-wide deployments may be made to relieve the

necessity of making further withdrawals of our force contributions

to NATO, the effect of which might seriously jeopardise our

relationship in that Alliance. A separate study (3) into the

implications of the continued employment in Northern Ireland of an

increased garrison is in course of preparation. This note confines

Notes:

1.

COS 25th Meeting/70, Item 4 2. COS (Misc) 129/31/7/70

3.

DOP 524/70 (Final)

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