TNAG-0757-FCO40-961-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 47

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ANNEX A to

DP_17778 (0) (Preliminary Draft) (Continued)

there are always likely to be requests which cannot be fulfilled.

It is considered however that while it must remain appropriate to

inform other Government. Departments of the implications of

individual requests, both for the Alliance and for the Services,

routine rehearsal of "penalties" is no longer appropriate in view

of the minimal effect such operations have had on our contribution

to NATO since 1975. Furthermore SACEUR's anticipated reaction

to future requests makes detailed description of damage to the

Alliance superfluous. Finally, while the need to protect our

Servicemen from the separation and turbulence which could be

induced by additional Priority Two Commitments must be represented

to Ministers from time to time, it is considered that their

present degree of exposure to this Ministry of Defence line is

not in the best interests of the Services and quite inappropriate

where British lives may be at risk outside the NATO Area.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

(To be added at Draft Stage 7

A

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