TNAG-0756-FCO40-960-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 71

GR 610

RITY

CYPHER CAT A

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HKCK dog!!.

INDER

SK OPP. 23

PA

4

FM HONG KONG Ø60400Z

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No

TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 154 OF 6 FEBRUARY 1978.

MY TELNO 55: BRUNEI.

See

1. IN ANTICIPATION OF POSSIBLE PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE EFFECT

WHICH EVENTS IN BRUNEI MIGHT HAVE ON REINFORCEMENTS AND THE

HONG KONG GARRISON WE HAVE PREPARED A DRAFT DEFENSIVE BRIEF FOR

THE GUIDANCE OF OUR INFORMATION SERVICES.

2. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR AGREEMENT THAT WE MAY USE THE FOLLOWING BRIEF IN THE EVENT OF ANY INTEREST BY THE PRESS:

QUOTE

1. BACKGROUND.

IN 1974 THE UNITED KINGDOM DEFENCE WHITE PAPER STATED THAT A REVIEW OF CURRENT DEFENCE COMMITMENTS AND CAPABILITIES HAD BEEN INITIATED, AND THAT SUBJECT TO CONSULTATIONS WITH THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO WITHDRAW THE GURKHA BATTALION FROM BRUNEI. CONSULTATIONS BEGAN IN 1975, WHEN THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI VISITED LONDON, AND FURTHER TALKS WERE HELD IN BRUNE! IN 1976. (EITHER) NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING BUT NO AGREEMENT HAS YET BEEN ANNOUNCED AND THE FUTURE OF THE GURKHA BATTALION IN BRUNEI MUST THEREFORE BE REGARDED AS UNDECIDED (OR) FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOT RESULTED IN AGREEMENT AND HMG HAS ADVISED THE SULTAN THAT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE GURKHA BATTALION COMMENCING

IN ..

2. POSSIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Q. THE 1976 DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED THAT THE HONG KONG GARRISON WOULD BE REINFORCED SHOULD CIRCUMSTANCES

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/ REQUIRE IT.