TNAG-0757-FCO40-961-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 227

Mr Cortazzi

HKK 062/1

RO. $1

12 ADR 1973

CONFIDENTI AL

Flag A

87)

Flag B

HONG KONG, BRUNEI AND THE GURKHAS

1.

In his telegram no. 395 of 31 March, the Governor of Hong Kong expresses his concern at the effects on the Hong Kong Garrison and the security of Hong Kong of any withdrawal of the Gurkha Battalion

from Brunei.

2. In FCO telegram no. 103 of 6 February, the Governor was given an assurance that the major part of the reinforcements envisaged under the present defence arrangements would still be able to reach Hong Kong within the same time limit, even after the withdrawal of the Gurkha Battalion from Brunei. Despite this, the Governor now claims that the reinforcement of Hong Kong from the UK would take four days longer than from Brunei. We have rechecked the position with the MOD, who have again assured us that the situation remains as stated in our earlier telegram.

3. I do not, however, feel that there is anything to be gained by arguing over this, or any other point of detail in the Governor's telegram, at this stage. The MOD believe that the telegram was probably a parting sally from General Sir John Archer and they recommend that we should at this stage do no more than repeat our assurances to the Governor that we are fully aware of his concern and that due account will be taken of Hong Kong's needs whenever any changes in the defence arrangements for the region are finally made.

4.

At the moment, no such changes are imminent. As you will know, the Sultan has now indicated his willingness to come to London, probably in June, to resume negotiations on the proposed new Treaty. On the assumption that his offer is accepted, there will be no question of our unilaterally terminating the present arrangements or announcing the beginning of the Gurkhas' withdrawal from Brunei. They are likely to remain in Brunei for a further five years, since SEAD are relatively confident that we shall eventually be able to reach agreement with the Sultan on terms near to those now on offer.

CONFIDENTIAL