TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 20

SECRET

CYPHER CAT/A

HONG KONG

TELEGRAM 726

то

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

DATED 17 OCTOBER 1970

SECRET

179100Z

4

YOUR TELEGRAM 705: HONG KONG GARRISON.

I WILL EVADE ANY QUESTIONS BY SIMPLY SAYING THAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF HMG'S NEW POLICY EAST OF SUEZ IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.

2.

POSSIBLE NEED FOR SOME LOCAL STATEMENT ARISES FROM THE

FACT THAT BOTH MINISTERS AND SENIOR ARMED SERVICES OFFICERS VISITNG 'HERE HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TOLD THE PRESS THAT THE GARRISON

WOULD BE AUGMENTED POST 1971, AND HAVE MENTIONED THE EXTRA

BATTALION. I MAY THEREFORE BE ASKED ABOUT CHARGES [SIC ?CHANGES) IN VIEW CF THE NEW POLICY, BUT ON THE WHOLE I DOUBT IT.

3. I WOULD NOT ADVISE ANY FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. ONCE A

POLICY DECISION ABOUT THE BATTALION HAS BEEN TAKEN, OPPORTUNITY CAN NO DOUBT BE FOUND TO TELL PRESS ENQUIRERS AOF IT: BUT I WOULD PREFER DECISIONS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON TO BE MADE KNOWN

IN A LOW KEY.

SIR D.TRENCH

FILES

H.K.D.

DEFENCE DEPT

S.W.P.D.

F.E.D.

SIR S. TOMLINSON

MOD INTERNAL

Who

bu

27.00.70

this

sopopo.

SECRET

19/10

Юсте

COPY TO

MR. C.E. JOHNSON. DS6. MOD

(142)

of (42)

JAKK 10/1

to MICE Johnson $86. MOD.

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to

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