Hir Thomson
SECRET
Mr Stright
182
DEFENCE REVIEW
1.
Following your meeting this morning here are comments on handling and timing of consultation; and language for the statement in Parliament.
STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT
2.
This is based on the draft circulated with Mr Jackson's minute of 12 November.
3.
Paragraph 12 to read as follows:
"As our commitments to the areas of NATO of greatest significance to the alliance are our first priority, we should progressively reduce our forces in other parts of the world. Thilst retaining our membership of SEATO and our commitments under Me Five Power Defence Arrangements, re propose, continuing the policy we announced in 1963, to withdraw most of our forces att present stationed in Singapore and Malaysia. propose also to withirav in due cource the Gurkha battalion we at present station in Brunei."
Faragraph 13 to rend:
We
"This will reduce our need for the facilities we
enjoy at Gan, and uc propose to withdraw the RAF from thore. We sh 11 be discusiar, the future of the
airfield with the Covermacht of Maldives."
Faragraph 19 (which might better fit after para 14) to read:
"Where will in due course o consultations with the Hong Jong Govement about the level of forces appropriate in resent cirebone ou, d about how the cost of Bhose forces & would be divided in future."
FM HITS POP CULTON
PRDA. Given Mat consult 4 ́ca by a visiting Minister 19 imposctical, and thin the cpse of New Zealand in
rticular previous melanog e talked about "further Consultations at polibie J. Lovol vich will take place as ven að hnisters is vs „w cle admin ry decisions", we Stok that the ideal roube world be a mubstantial messago bunch of the lour Jade tani.bow, to be delivered in their
jblo. As to tiring a think is should be done as soon jodle after hr] 0.binet oval has been given, us in the dapo dead holy following 26 November.
ON ST
/Hong Long
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