CYPHER/CAT A
SECRET
ORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NO.715
TOP (
TO HONG KONG
23 OCTOBER 1970
(HK)
47
SECRET.
ALF
44
REF.
48
231545Z .
YOUR TELEGRAM NO.726: HONG KONG GARRISON.
PUBLICATION OF WHITE PAPER ON 28 OCTOBER WILL BE ACCOMPANIED
BY INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY
SECRETARY OF STATE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE RESPECTIVELY.
NO REFERENCE WILL BE MADE, EITHER IN WHITE PAPER OR IN STATEMENTS,
TO DECISION NOT TO INCREASE HONG KONG GARRISON BY AN EXTRA INFANTRY
BATTALION AT END 1971: AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THE REPLIES TO
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS POINT, WHETHER IN PARLIAMENT OR FROM THE PRESS,
SHOULD BE CONFINED TO SAYING NO MORE THAT THAT:-
(A) OUR CONTINUING SOUTH EAST ASIA PRESENCE WILL NOT BE AT THE
EXPENSE OF FORCE LEVELS IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY
AT THEIR PRESENT STRENGTH.
(B) GENERAL REASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION IS REGARDED AS
JUSTIFYING THE MAKING OF CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS IN THE INCREASES
PREVIOUSLY CONTEMPLATED.
(C) PLANS FOR MEETING THE BUILDING REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORCES IN
HONG KONG ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF SERVICE
REQUIREMENTS.
2.
GRATEFUL TO LEARN URGENTLY WHETHER YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS
ON THE ABOVE.
DOUGLAS HOME
FILES
HONG KONG DEPT.
DEF. DEPT.
F.E.D.
NEWS DEPT.
SIR L. MONSON
SIR S. TOMLINSON MR. WILFORD
MOD INTERNAL
SECRET
COPIES TO:
MR. C.E. JOHNSON,DS6. MOD
:
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