TNAG-0478-FCO40-543-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 14

Mr Jackson

Reference...

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DEFENCE REVIEW:

1.

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NON-NATO COMMITMENTS

Parliamentary Statement

Paragraph 5. I think "obligations" in the second line should read "obligation". The point is that we are not maintaining our obligations, at least to Hong Kong, in their present form, but we are maintaining the overall obligation to provide forces for the defence of the dependent territories.

2.

Consultation Brief

This

I attach a re-typed page, to save time. incorporates the amendments suggested by yourself and Mr Thomson. But I have deleted the last part of the first paragraph (the reference to Chinese subversion and disruption). The 1967 disturbances were not initiated by the Chinese Government nor is there any sign that the present Chinese Government would try to destroy Hong Kong from within by actively fomenting disorder. The long Kong defence forces are largely there to prevent local disturbances from escalating into a situation in which the Chinese would feel bound to intervene.

3.

Consultations Timetable

No comment.

7 October 1974

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Mr Thomson

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A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

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