TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 65

CONFIDENT I AL

2ND DRAFT

will be reduced by the equivalent of one major unit by

1 April 1977, and will comprise five infantry battalions

(including four Gurkha battalions), an artillery battery,

and appropriate support units. The Government is

discussing with the Hong Kong Government the future size

of the forces and the arrangements for financing them.

Negotiations will shortly begin/have begun 7 with the

Government of Brunei about the withdrawal of the Gurkha

infantry battalion stationed there.

b. The Persian Gulf. The small British Military

Assistance Team will be withdrawn from Sharjah by

1 July 1975.

C. The Mediterranean. In Cyprus, the Army at present

contributes an infantry battalion, an armoured reconnais-

sance regiment less one squadron, and logistic support to

the United Nations force. The garrison in the Sovereign

Base Areas is two infantry battalions and an armoured

reconnaissance squadron, together with appropriate logistic

support units. An infantry battalion forms part of the

Gibraltar garrison.

d.

The Caribbean. The small garrison at Belize (formerly

British Honduras) provides a force for the external defence

of the territory and, when required, assistance to the civil

authorities in the maintenance of law and order. The

garrison comprises a small headquarters, an infantry

battalion less one company, and ancillary personnel and

equipment.

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CONFIDENTIAL