TNAG-0307-FCO40-343-Costs-of-extra-services-provided-by-armed-forces-of-UK-in-Ho-1971 — Page 64

(3)

As a result of the 1967 disturbances the

Hong Kong Government decided that a more

permanent military presence was required

on the border, for internal security as well

for

as external defence purposes. This

Λ

decision led to the initiative for

operation "Spring Clean" and to the

undertaking contained in the paper

"Implementation of Border Policy" of

Para 13 of

(4)

March 1968 whereby the Hong Kong Governmen

accepted responsibility for the

maintenance of all buildings required for

operational reasons in the border area.

The decision under (3) above represented

change in policy which the military

authorities considere should be back-

dated to include works carried out under

"Highland Bonnet",

given

3.I do not think that the above statement of the

position in any way contradicts the facts as tated

by the Command Secretary and we realise that there is

room for argument on both sides. But in the

absence of any agreement by the Hong Kong Government,

at the time of the change in policy referred to in

(3) above, that this change should have retrospective

effects, we find it difficult to produce arguments

which would both justify our bringing pressure to

bear on the Hong Kong Government and which would

persuade that Government (and more particularly the

unofficial element in it) to accept liability for the

works carried out in connection with "Highland

Bonnet".

enclosure to (255

ITWB 4/1.

A

best.

کی کیم

the

Gorder works provides that the military (Incidentally, we have recently been informe by Hong Kong Conv. that the latest policy statement on

all

accommodation and tracks they have built and not formally handed over to the P.W.D. for maintenance". is responsible for all defence works andi the maintenence of

h

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

March, 1968, has therefse The policy

statement of

всем то

2 CONFIDENTIAL

/5.