24/€
3
COMMENT ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT BY
THE ACTING GOVERNOR
The new Defence Costs Agreement has been concluded today between
the Governments of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom - after very tough
}
negotiations which have lasted for more than a year.
Understandably, the progress of these negotiations has aroused
considerable public interest
R
and much anxiety lest the agreement should place on Hong Kong financial burdens which we should find it difficult
to carry.
In the course of public debate and discussion, some have even qi questioned the need for there to be any garrison at all. Let me make
it abundantly clear that the Government has no doubt whatsoever that a substantial British garrison is essential for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
It is the primary responsibility of any Government to maintain security. Unless this is assured, confidence in Hong Kong and its future would be shaken with dire economic and social consequences.
Some of the critics, while accepting that a garrison of some kind is required, have asserted that it could be provided more effectively and cheaply by an enlarged and re-equipped police force, or by an augmented Hong Kong Regiment.
This possibility has been carefully examined - by soldiers, civilians and police. The clear conclusion is that such an alternative would give us a second-class army, lacking the professional skills traditions and spirit which make the superb British and Gurkha soldiers, sailors and airmen such an effective garrison. Furthermore, a local force would have to be larger, because we would not be able to rely on reinforcements from Britain, as we shall be able to do while we have a British garrison.
/A local
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.