TNAG-0542-FCO40-637-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 118

SECRET UK EYES A

-

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ph.

Definer looks)

Blix 281

London SW1

Telephone 01-

930 8440

Ext 759

A JH Ward Esq

DS6

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Main Building, Whitehall · LONDON SW1

Your reference

Our reference FWB 10/1

Date 22 September 1975

HONG KONG:

(280)

IT

REINFORCEMENT FROM BRUNEI

With reference to your minute D/DS6/46/66/1 dated 19 September, I agree both with your summary of factors and with your conclusions. My only comment concerns the passage "this should be managed in such a way as to avoid disclosing our position to the Sultan". I take it that by our position" you mean "the local reinforcement option" (because it is disclosure of this that would "strengthen his bargaining hand"). If so, we acknowledge that disclosure may be difficult to avoid. If on the other hand you mean OPD endorsement of the planning assumptions for withdrawal from Brunei (para 5f) the need to avoid disclosure should I think be more strongly emphasised.

1

PA B Thomson

South-West Pacific Dept

Mr R Janvrin (HKIOD/FCO) .

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