TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 33

SECRET

--3--

Paragraph 12

"Sector" should of course be in the plural.

Paragraph 14(b)

This passage will need to be revised in the light of developments there.

Paragraph 42

We suggest substituting for "invasion" the word "landing" in line 2.

Paragraph 63

We suggest substituting "their successful prosecution of the war against the rebels" for "with the operations" in the first sentence; the reference to the loan of helicopters is unnecessary and should be deleted. It would be useful to include a sentence about the British Army Training team which we can use as a reference for replying to questions from the Press and Members of Parliament. We suggest something on the lines of "the British Army Training team, which includes a detachment of the SAS regiment, continued to give training assistance to the Sultan's forces."

Paragraph 70

We suggest that the reference to military aid to the civil community in the first sentence should also make it clear that the Belize garrison gave valuable assistance in Belize itself, as well as assistance which the garrison was able to extend to the neighbouring state of Honduras.

Paragraph 74

It might be worth mentioning that, on the occasion of SEATO exercises, we hope we shall be able to continue to make a modo: naval contribution from time to time.

2. We note that the Paper appears not to include a reference to CENTO, although there was a reference to it under the heading "Exercises" in the 1973 paper. Presumably this will be covered in the Defence Review Chapter?

ever

Yours

Teady.

JE Jackson

SECRET