TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 130

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

*7×5) Dd145173 400m 5/73 G.W.3.Ltd. Gp.253

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

DECRET

attack on the Central Front, and the importance we

attach to maintaining Alliance solidarity in the

IBUR negotiation.

14.

Secondly, we havetaker

aker a firm decision that

our str: tegic nuclear deterrent force shall be

maintained and improved. While in overall aireleric

1

Perortho--

terms our capability is undoubtedly marrinel by

comparison with that of the United States,

teso we believe that it represents a significant.

addition to NATO's deterrent posture and one the

abandonment of which could be misunderstood in

Britein, in Europe and beyond. (The decision will

of course be one of those or which the Government

will be ost strongly attacked from the left in

Britain.)

15. Thirdly, re hve thought it right to attach a

high priority to our capability for maritime

operations in the Eastern Atlantic.

The Warraw Jet

capability at sea, and the preponderance of Dovil

submarines in the Eastern Atlantic, is increaring.

Alone among the European Allies, we are in a

position to make a rignificant contribution to

IATO's counter-capability. The effects on Eurojeru

confidence if the US ability to provide ge: borne

reinforcement to the European theatre were gorionel-

croded could be considerable.

16. Fourthly, we have looked more critic: 1y ot

our home-based forces designed for specialised

reinforcement roles NATO-wide. We recognise that

the British reinforcement forces for LATO'n Fort;he

Flank are of considerable politico-military

importance inview of the preponderance of Warsaw

LBODET

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.