TNAG-0755-FCO40-959-Security-arrangements-at-Kai-Tak-Airport-1978 — Page 61

CONTIDENTIAL

4. We have been considering how best to do this, in the light of the obvious gap between Zambian requirements and Hong Kong's capabilities. The Zambians have asked for very wide ranging assistance to upgrade their paramilitary wing, and we wonder whether they themselves fully appreciate what is required by way of training. We are therefore exploring the possibility of a consultancy visit by a small team from the Military Assistance Office (MAO) of the MOD to carry out a preliminary assessment of the Zambians' training needs and to give advice on the paramilitary (as opposed to strictly police) aspects of upgrading the wing. The MAO have recently carried out a number of similar consultancies in neighbouring African countries and would be well placed to identify Zambia's needs. Following their report, we could then consider what supplementary training would be required to meet the cap between Zambia's requirement and the programme provided from

Hong Kong. It could be that it would be useful for a small

team of Zambian instructors to visit the SAS in Hereford to

undergo further training. We have already raised this possibility

with the MOD, who tell us that their Ministers would be unlikely

to authorise such a visit. But, if the MAO's report made it clear that a visit to Hereford was necessary, we hope this would go some way towards softening the MOD's attitude.

5. We have not yet discussed dates or costs in detail with

the MAO, so we should not mention this idea to the Zambians at

this stage. But meanwhile we need to explain to Hong Kong that, whilst we accept their reservations, we would nevertheless like to take up their offer, as a valuable contribution towards the Zambians' requirement. It is important that we should obtain from them more specific details of the type of programme their instructors could undertake, so that Mr Allinson can put to

the Zambians as detailed a proposal as possible. Turthermore this would make it easier for the MAO team to identify the needs beyond these that can be met from Hong Kong. The Governor of Hong Kong, who is at present on leave in the UK, will be in the

/office

CONFIDENTTAT.