TNAG-0543-FCO40-638-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 70

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3.

that HMG could impose a defence costs arrangement on

Hong Kong. (It is made clear in paragraph 6 of the

Steering Brief (see A. above) that an attempt to enforce the kind of financial contribution we want would endanger

our whole relationship with Hong Kong and is not therefore the way to proceed.) This brief also covers briefly a number of current Hong Kong issues, i.e. Vietnamese refugees, the death penalty, the Hong Kong/EEC textiles agreement, corruption, Hong Kong/Chinese relations and the social situation. With regard to Vietnamese refugees, Mr Male has suggested that it might help Mr Rodgers with his negotiation if he were to take credit for HMG's recent decision to admit up to 150 Vietnamese refugees,

subject to personal acceptability. HMG's decision is known in Hong Kong as well as here, through the voluntary organisations concerned with refugees.

Briefs C (Force Levels) and D (Cests of Proposed Garrison) have been prepared by the MOD and seem to be all right. You need not bother with H (Single Service Matters), J (Works Matters) or K (Lands Matters).

4.

I also attach as background a copy of Hong Kong telegram no. 1007 of 9 October, which summarises the main points made

Ak by the Governor in his annual address to the Legislative Council the

day before. Please note, in particular, paragraph 6 about defence expenditure. On this point in the Governor's statement, I attach the relevant page from the Hong Kong "Daily Information Bulletin" for 303 8 October which gives an expanded version of what the Governor said.

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D.F. Milton

D F Milton

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

20 October 1975

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Mr Male

(with espier of Breet A, B and G plur other attachment).

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