TNAG-0543-FCO40-638-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 39

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SEOTÍ DECRET UALNYESHA GJ.

HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS NEGOTIATIONS OCTOBER 1975

OPENING STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF STATE

BRIEF B

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1.

As you know, the purpose of my visit to Hong Kong is to put

HMG's position on the terms of a new defence costs agreement to

succeed the present arrangements which expire at the end of March

1976. The Government of Hong Kong has made a financial contribution

to the cost of the Hong Kong garrison for many years in a succession

of agreements. My task is to explain to you the reasons why it is

now necessary to ask for a very substantial increase.

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2. I want to make it clear from the outset that HM' reaffirms its

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commitment to the integrity of Hong Kong and the security and well beine

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prosperity of its inhabitants. There is no weakening of this resolve

and are conscious that a garrison adequate in military terms]is an

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important manifestation of HG's commitment, both as an assurance

of internal security and as an indication to the outside world of

our continuing interest in-the-colony. But

But our view is that it can

no longer be right for MG to bear so much of the burden of providing

to the eat glen sorufii for your security. In past years your defence contribution has never

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total

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represented more than a small part of the costs of the garrison

stationed-here-for your security. Under the present agreement the

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contribution agreed in 1971 has because of inflation and the

the botric

relative movement of carrencies

undated to wako umeon You /declined in value in relation

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to the garrison/from just under to about 17% now. in fol

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3. You may rightly point out that HG must bear equal responsibility

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for the level of contribution [embodied in the present agreement)

and that no-one could then have foreseen the impact of worldwide

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inflation and you may [reedily evince

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willingness to redress the

imbalance occuring since 1971 But in HK'o viow that would not be

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