TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 42

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4. In addition, we all know that the UK carries the burden of

certain extra-European responsibilities, some of which are

inescapable: for example, the security of dependent territories

such as Hong Kong. As for other overseas commitments, total

withdrawal would release some £100M per annum, about 3% of

the current defence budget.

5. Our guiding principle within NATO has been to take no

action which would invalidate NATO strategy or destroy the cohesion

of the Alliance. We have also been conscious of the fact that

the Allied negotiating position in MBFR must not be undermined.

And, since our contribution to the Alliance is bound to change,

we have been at pains to find the most cost-effective solution

in the new circumstances. In general, we have sought economies

where they will have minimal effects on measures planned within

the framework of AD 70 and for Basic Issues, to which NATO

attaches particular importance.

Elements of UK Contribution to NATO

6.

In our view, there are four major elements of the UK

contribution to NATO which are critical to the security of the

Alliance, and which we assess as being of equal importance:

the land/air element in the Central Region,

the sea/air element in the Eastern Atlantic and Channel,

the security of the UK itself,

and the UK contribution to the strategic nuclear deterrent.

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SECRET UK EYES A