TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 25

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commitments wherever this was consistent with our fundam, uta!

uilitery and political obligations. Following the Statement on

3 December 1974 we have consulted the governments concerned, and

have taken our decisions in the light of those consultations.

34. We shall continue to maintain forces in the dependent

territories of Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Belize and the Falkland Islando.

In Hong Kong there will be some reductions in British Servicemen and

locally-enlisted personnel; and we are seeking from the Hong Kong

Government a larger share of the cost of our forces when the

present cost-sharing agreement, which expires in 1976, is

re-negotiated.

35. The Five Power Defence Arrangements include a consultative

commitment, but no obligation to maintain British troops in either

Malaysia or Singapore. We shall maintain the commitment; but,

with the exception of a small residual contribution to the Integrated

Air Defence System, we will withdraw our forces, including the

detachment of up to four Nimrods from the British maritime patrol

force, by April 1976.

36. We will continue our membership of the South East Asia Treaty

Organisation (SEATO), but will take part in fewer exercises in the

future. We do not declare forces to the Organisation.

37.

Subject to consultations with the Sultan. we propose to carry

out our 1968 decision to withdraw the Gurkha battalion from Brunei.

38. We shall withdraw from the staging post on Gan by April 1976;

and from the naval communications station on Mauritius. If there

is any requirement for facilities in the Indian Ocean area in the

future, we shall be able to use Diego Garcia, where we have agreed

to a modest expansion of facilities by the United States. We shall

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