TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 47

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proposed for BAOR. They also note with satisfaction that the

United Kingdom proposes to maintain the effectiveness of its

present contribution to the strategic nuclear deterrent, and to

continue to provide tactical nuclear forces to ACE on the present

scale.

9.

Nevertheless the Allies wish to emphasise once again that,

in the words of the Ottawa Declaration, "their common defence is

one and indivisible". NATO is a system of collective security;

a weakening in the defence of one Region diminishes the security

not only of the countries within that Region, but of the Alliance

as a whole. Indeed the implications of the reductions proposed

go wider than that; they affect not only the balance of forces

within the European theatre, but the world-wide strategic balance

between East and West. Moreover if a major partner in the Alliance

now feels compelled to reduce its commitments, the unfortunate

consequences could be that others in a similar position might find.

it more difficult to resist pressures to do likewise.

10. These are the major points of concern which the Allies,

recognising the positive as well as the progressive nature of the

changes proposed, have asked me to express. They have asked me

also to convey their views on the subject of further consultation,

bearing in mind the assurances which you and your colleagues have

given both in Parliament and in NATO that final decisions will

only be reached when consultation with the Allies is complete.

There would seem to be two phases in this continuing consultation:

(a) the Allies trust that the British Government will

give very serious consideration to the views expressed

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