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commitment.
Changes in British force levels will make it
necessary to consider the future of the consultative commitment.
We must also bear in mind that, even if the UK withdraw, the other partners might wish tu continue the FPDA without Britain.
19.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
The main options open to HMG are:
To confirm the existing consultative commitment but to
reduce Army support by withdrawing the Infantry Battalion and supporting land force units from Singapore.
To confirm the consultative commitment but to withdraw all British military forces stationed in Singapore, leaving only our contribution to the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS); and/or the naval presence under the group operating system.
As for (b), but to withdraw also from IADS and the naval
presence.
To withdraw all forces and negotiate the termination of our consultative commitment under the FPDA in due course.
20.
In order to avoid the shock to political confidence and the damage to our bilateral relations with four important Commonwealth · countries, which would be caused by a hasty and complete withdrawal of all British military support, HMG's objective may well be to gain the acquiescence of our partners to a phased withdrawal leading eventually to termination of the consultative commitment as far as Britain is concerned. But before we reach that stage we should have to seek some formal review of the arrangements, which can only properly be brought to an end by a public statement by all the partners. It is also likely that during an intermediate stage our partners will wish us to maintain in being at least the consultative commitment and, even if they accept gracefully the withdrawal of our land forces, they may seek the maintenance of our participation in the Integrated Air Defence System and our naval presence in Singapore. The extent to which we require continuing facilities in Singapore (eg on a reinforcement route to Hong Kong or in the light of whether the Navy wish to maintain a worldwide presence) will have some bearing on how far we will wish to accede to this. Malaysia and Singapore may also seek additional assistance in building up local forces as we withdraw.
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/CONCLUSION:
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