TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENIAL

Gyrt ever 497gspot Popc

ofte payed are gett

eguld possibly be needed for farrison dutieo-er-to-Pepel a-"-attack by his co

if oucir a thing yere conceivable. Deployed as they are, these

Soviet forces represent a powerful instrument of war.

Their increasing capabilities must be measured not only in terms

of military potential but also as a possible means of reinforcing

political pressure without recourse to overt hostilities.

9.

The strategic nuclear forces of the West are the ultimate

deterrent against strategic nuclear attack. But in a period of

strategic parity they do not necessarily constitute a credible

deterrent against lower levels of aggression. For this purpose

the West must also deploy credible numbers of conventional and tactical

nuclear forces. These can be provided in an effective way only through

the North Atlantic Alliance, to whose support the Government is fully

committed.

DEVELOPMENTS IN NATO

a Declaration on Atlantic

10. On 26 June 1974 the Heads of Government of North Atlantic

Treaty nations signed

Relations, previously agreed by Foreign Ministers at the Ottawa

Meeting of the North Atlantic Council. The members of the

Alliance thus re-dedicated themselves to the aims and ideals of

the North Atlantic Treaty in the year of the twenty-fifth

anniversary of its signature.

The Defence Planning Committee

11.

Meetings of the NATO Defence Planning Committee in

Ministerial Session were held in June and December 1974.

II-5

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL