TNAG-0477-FCO40-542-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 43

DEVILA

CYPRUS

ANNEX A to ACDS(Pol)74/225 Dated 8 August 1974

1. United Kingdom forces are stationed in Cyprus in support of

CENTO and national tasks including the defence of the island

against external aggression, in conjunction with our co-gaurantors,

and their presence there is of considerable benefit to NATO,

although for political reasons overt assignment to NATO is not

possible. UK forces are located in the two Sovereign Base Areas

(SBAS) and some of the 17 Retained Sites.

The extensive

training areas are used by the garrison and a large number of

visiting forces from other

theatres 7. Many Servicemen and

their families are accommodated outside the SBAS in the Republic.

Disregarding short term reinforcements necessitated by the

recent crisis the UK force levels in Cyprus are set out in the

ched table together with an indication of their principal

tasks and an estimate, at 1974 prices, of their costs, i.e.

the amount per annum which would be saved by complete withdrawal

and subsequent disbandment. The UK contribution to the UN

Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which has fluctuated in recent years

is not included.

A

1

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