TNAG-0757-FCO40-961-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 23

I

SECRET

ANNEX A to

DP 177710) (Proliminary Dzoft (Continued)

the area are those in Belize. On three occasions (Anguilla

1977, Bermuda 1977 and DVI 1978) forces deployed in Belize have

been made available or redeployed for an emergency requirement.

Depending on the Guatemalan threat to Belize at the time such

forces might again be available for these purposes. However it

is considered that as a deterrent and as support for lucal

security forces there is no substitute for the presence of a frigate

"hull-down" but on call. The JIC assess (14) that following the

demise of this permanent deterrent, the capability for maintaining

law and order has declined. This, together with zi inadequate

nature of the local defence forces suggests that unless forces are

fortuitously visiting the area, there are likely to be more frequent

calls than hitherto for rapid response reinforcement forces from

the UK (or Belize) to prevent minor disturbances from escalating

into major breakdowns of law and order.

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

23. In the foreseeable future UN peacekeeping forces could be

called for in Rhodesia and Namibia, to police a comprehensive

Middle East peace plan, to patrol the Somaliu/Ethiopia border,

and conceivably in Eritrea. Experience in recent months suggests

that following UN resolutions to establish them, persuasive

political pressure for a UK contribution to each of these forces

may be expected.

24. The current UK contribution to existing peacekeeping forces

is a contingent (790 men) for UNFICYF, logistic support for the

Note:

14.

JIC(77)4

A 15 SECRET