TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 137

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23.

DOP Note 706/70 (Draft)

Continued)

The Chiefs of Staff have agreed (5) that whilst it remains a

possible option to leave Malta temporarily without any garrison,

"they would be faced with the likelihood of a major administrative

muddle if 1 D and D did not relieve 3 Para in time for the handover of the barracks and the return of families etc." Furthermore 1 D and D have been told they will not be kept in Northern Ireland after 10 September.

24. Since the original date set for the return of this unit has al- ready had to be changed more than once it is most important from a morale point of view not to break faith on this latest promise.

We therefore consider it highly desirable that 1 D and D should be

returned to Malta by 10 September 1970.

Cyprus

The

25. There are two infantry battalions in Cyprus; one is in

UNFICYP and the other is in the Cyprus Garrison with the role of

defending the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAS) and Retained Sites.

UNFICYP battalion is firmly committed under the United Nations

mandate which runs until December 1970. The question of our

contribution after this date will be reviewed.

Although there

have been no major intercommunal disputes in Cyprus in recent

years a volatile situation does exist and it is considered

operationally unacceptable to remove the only battalion from the

Cyprus Garrison and so leave the SBAS, Retained Sites and families

virtually defenceless.

Gulf

26. Of the two infantry battalions in the Gulf one is at Bahrein

and one at Sharjah. Until recently it was planned to withdraw one

of these battalions as part of the Gulf rundown, but HMG has

decided that in order to afford time to resolve disputes, allow the

creation of the Union of Arab Emirates and establish a situation

Note:

5. COS 25th Meeting/70, Item 4

7-

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