GRS 120
SECRET
COP
105
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM FCO 171725Z
DEDIP
SECRET
RL:
(107
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO 805 OF 17 SEPTEMBER. 1974.
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR.
DEFENCE REVIEW.
(HK)
1. MINISTERS HAVE NOW DECIDED THAT OUR FORCES IN HONG KONG SHOULD
BE MAINTAINED AT A SOMEWHAT REDUCED LEVEL BUT WITHOUT A RAPID REINFORCEMENT CAPABILITY. THEY HAVE ALSO DECIDED THAT YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED OF HMG'S FIRM VIEW THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTRIBUTE NOT LESS THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF THE COST OF THE GARRISON, YOUR ADVICE SHOULD BE SOUGHT ON WHETHER IT WOULD
BE BEST TO ASK INITIALLY FOR MORE, WITH A VIEW TO COMPROMISING ON 75 PER CENT, OR WHETHER IT WOULD BE BETTER TO PUT A PROPOSAL
TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHICH WE WOULD NOT BE READY TO DEPART FROM.
FINALLY THEY DECIDED THAT CBF SHOULD NOW BE CONSULTED PERSONALLY
ABOUT THOSE ASPECTS OF THE DEFENCE REVIEW THAT CONCERN HIM.
2. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EARLY ADVICE.
CALLAGHAN
FILES
HKIOD(3
DEFENCE D PS
FS/LOAD GORONWY-ROBERTS
PS/PUS
SIR D WATSON
COPIES TO:
NR HOCKADAY MOD
MR SMITH
CABINET OFFICE
MR THOMSON
SECRET
Page 90Page 91
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