TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 68

CONFIDENTIALTAL

36. The Government look forward to depositing, in the near futur the United Kingdom's Instruments of Ratificetion of the Convention on the Prohibition of Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, 1972, in co-ordination with the Governments of the United States and the Soviet Union, and to the consequent entry into force of this Convention.

NORTHERN IRELAND

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

solution to the problems of Northern Ireland. By acting to elim-

inate 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.

38. There was a temporary break in Provisional IRA hostilities between 22 December 1974 and 16 January 1975, at which stage violence was resumed by that organisation. Both during the ceasefire and afterwards the Security Forces' activities were related to the level of violence that occurred. A further cessation of violence was announced to begin on 10 February. Certain procedures and safeguards have been designed to reduce the risk of a fresh outbreak of violence.

39. The beginning of 1974 saw the creation of a power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland. The Executive fell following a strike led by the Ulster Workers' Council in May. The Security Forces will nevertheless continue to strive for conditions of peace and stability in which the arrangements for a Constitutional Convention may go ahead smoothly, with the objective of creating new institutions based on genuine participation in Government by both communities. 40. In 1974 the Armed Services pursued a steady campaign against terrorism from whatever source. It was conducted with the utmost care to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to law-abiding citizens. By their rigorous work throughout the year to frustrate

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