CYPHER/CAT A & BY BAG
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26.0
IMMEL, ATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NO 509
TO H C SINGAPORE 24 AUGUST, 1970
(DP 14/546/1)
SECRET
ADDRESSED TO HC SINGAPORE TELEGRAM NO
KUALA LUMPUR, CANBERRA, WELLINGTON RFI
SAVING TO UKDEL NATO.
509 OF 24 AUGUST AND TO
POLAD SINGAPORE
TEMPORARY DEPLOYMENT OF 42 COMMANDO ROYAL MARINES WEST OF SUEZ.
GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INFORM GOVERNMENT TO WHICH YOU ARE ACCREDITED THAT WE HAVE DECIDED TO WITHDRAW 42 RM COMMANDO FROM SINGAPORE FOR TEMPORARY SERVICE WEST OF SUEZ FROM MID-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY DECEMBER 1970. IT IS INTENDED THAT 42 COMMANDO SHOULD TAKE PART IN NATO EXERCISE DEEP EXPRESS IN OCTOBER AND THE UK/FRENCH AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISE IN NOVEMBER, RETURNING TO THE FAR EAST ON
COMPLETION.
2. YOU MAY EXPLAIN THAT THE TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL OF 42 COMMAND HAS
BEEN NECESSITATED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND
SITUATION. THE COMMANDO UNIT WHICH WAS TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE
TWO EXERCISES IS NEEDED IN ULSTER.
3. YOU MAY ADD THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION IN SOUTH EAST ASIA WAS
TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THE DECISION WAS TAKEN, WITHDRAWAL
OF 42 COMMAND IN MID-SEPTEMBER WILL DEPRIVE SINGAPORE OF A BRITISH
BATTALION BUT THIS WILL ONLY BE FOR A VERY BRIEF PERIOD AS 40
COMMANDO WILL BE RETURNING TO SINGAPORE IN MID-OCTOBER AFTER
TEMPORARY SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
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