(15741) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
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premature leaks (as eg through the National Executive Committee or other consultative bodies) would substantially prejudice the Governor's task in getting the maximum Hong Kong financial con- tribution. The US interest in what we do in
Hong Kong is likely to be less than in our plans for other parts of the world if we intend to keep force levels of a reasonable size there, and we do not need to consult them before we start formal negotiations with the Hong Kong Government.
4.
There are three other fields in which we could also consider action before long:-
(1) Cyprus It seems likely, after recent events, that we shall have to discuss before long with the Americans and possibly thereafter with other interested
parties, in the context of a settlement of the present crisis, what our future plans for the SBAS and the intelligence effort on the island should be. Preliminary FCC views on the subject are already being submitted to the Secretary of State in preparation for further consideration by the Defence Review Steering Committee's Sub Committee and thereafter by Ministers, probably in the second half of September if not earlier. The Americans would be
L
surprised and could certainly not
object if we indicated that we wanted to discuss our defence plans for Cyprus in isolation, because decisions about our long term position there could clearly be a matter of urgency. Mr Healey draws particular attention to Cyprus in his min- ute and would no doubt welcome early
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/consultatio
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