TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

3RD DRAFT

36. BW for completion when further developments are known_7.

THE LAW OF THE SEA CONFERENCE

37.

The Third United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, which

opened in New York in December 1973, is concerned with a number

of issues of direct defence significance, notably freedom of

navigation and overflight. The Ministry of Defence played a

full part in the work of the United Kingdom delegation at the

first substantive session of the Conference in Caracas in

Summer 1974 and will be similarly involved at the next session

of the Conference which begins in Geneva in March 1975.

BRITISH FORCES

Northern Ireland

38. It has always been the Government's aim to obtain a political

solution to the problems of Northern Ireland. By acting to

eliminate terrorism, the Services are playing their part in

helping to create an environment where political progress can be

made. The Services will remain in Northern Ireland for as long

and in such strength as is necessary to achieve this objective.

Details of anti-terrorist operations in Northern Ireland are

given in Chapter III, paragraphs 30 to 39.

Cyprus

39. All three Services played an important role in Cyprus during

the 1974 crisis, in particular in ensuring the safety of many

thousands of people from Britain and other countries. At the

request of the Secretary General of the United Nations, we also

increased our contribution to the United Nations Force in Cyprus

at short notice. These activities are described in more detail

II-16

CONFIDENTIAL