TNAG-0541-FCO40-636-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 89

GRS 120

PRIORITY

CYPHER CAT/A

FM HONG KONG 040845Z

CONFIDENTIAL

Re

200

1975

RCT.

209

204

CONFIDENTIAL

TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 653 OF 4 JULY.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO 524 OF 2 JULY.

DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.

NICKIO11

I AM ANXIOUS TO RESOLVE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THE OUTSTANDING

POINTS IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIVING MINISTERS

PROPOSALS ON COST SHARING AND THE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF THE

GARRISON. OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE NO FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TO

DISCUSS THE LATTER WITH UMEL CO, AND I AM MOST ANXIOUS TO

DO THIS BEFORE THE COUNCILS DISPERSE FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.

2. ALTHOUGH WE APPRECIATE THAT THE AGREEMENT MAY REQUIRE SOME AMENDMENT IN THE LIGHT OF THE EVENTUAL DECISION ON COST SHARING IT IS NONETHELESS IMPORTANT TO HAVE COMMENTS ON OUR TELEGRAMS

NO 592 AND NO 593 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

3. IT WOULD ALSO ASSIST US IF YOU COULD INDICATE LIKELY DATES" FOR MEETING OF OFFICIALS IN LONDON ON DETAILS OF AGREEMENT.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HRIOD (4)

DEFENCED MR WILFORD SIRD WATSON

MR MALE

MR THOMSON

PA

1017

·CONFIDENTIAL