TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 138

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DOP Note 706/70

Draft Continued

in which British interests will be safeguarded, the Sharjah battalion

will be replaced when it completes its 9 month unaccompanied

tour in November 1970.

27. HMG's treaty obligations in the Gulf are to protect the Rulers

against external attack, including the defence of one protected state

against attack by another. HMG have no specific commitment to assist

in maintaining or restoring internal security, although they might

choose to do so, especially for the protection of British lives and

property.

28. While it is always peculiarly difficult to predict a course

of events in the Gulf it is considered that any operational situation

could be met by one battalion based in the Gulf backed up by

reinforcement from UK for which plans exist. From the military

viewpoint, therefore, it is considered that one battalion from the

Gulf could be withdrawn and made available for duties in Northern

Ireland. However, the unit due to be relieved in November 1970 would

be in baulk until August 1971, and the other is an Irish battalion

Thus a unit from which is ineligible for service in Northern Ireland.

the Gulf would not be available within the time frame we are

considering. On the other hand, 3 Para could be used in Northern

Ireland in January 1971 if Ministerial agreement were given to the

reduction of one battalion from the Gulf before the unit leaves for

Sharjah in November. If this is not given, an alternative unit will

have to be found from BAOR.

Far East

29.

The current deployment and tasks of the major units in

Singapore and Malaysia between now and the end of January 1971 are

as under:

8

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