TNAG-0445-FCO40-510-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 146

HONG KONG

SECRET

Extract from Working Party's Report

on the Defence Review.

FIDG

f

(i) Over time our forces there might be halved. The guard ship

should be removed. At the same time we would accept a much lower

capability to reinforce in a hurry relying on the Westabout route

and civilian aircraft. Attempts should be made to persuade Hong

Kong to contribute more as from 1976 to the cost of keeping this

reduced military presence.

Political Implications

(i) Total withdrawal of the garrison from Hong Kong is not in

practice an option until we abandon Kong Kong itself. Kong Kong

could not be governed without a garrison: confidence in the

Colony's future would not survive. Even a hint that such an

option was being considered in London would seriously damage

confidence. The elimination of the garrison would only be

conceivable in a situation where we intended to withdraw politically

in the immediate future. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary

has made it clear, most recently in a letter to Sir A Royle, which

was agreed by the Ministry of Defence, that this is not in

contemplation.

Option A2 is likewise only a practical proposition

to the extent that it can be conducted in such a way as to preserve 'con

confidence in the Colony's future. It will be difficult but not

impossible to manage this.