TNAG-0852-FCO40-1062-Visits-of-Royal-Navy-ships-to-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 21

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

1

Nkk 076/1

HECK

063/1

/ KC.

6 NOV 1979

Mr Quantrill

моторен

Mr McLaren

INDI

DESK OFFICER

138

DOA

P.A.

RJMR

78410.

18 OCT 1979riginal at: HK/062/1.

This Copy for:

tion only / Action on

1

PROPOSED VISIT TO BRUNEI OF HMS WASPERTON AND HMS MONKTON

1.

The MOD has contacted us concerning political clearance for a proposed deployment of two of the Hong Kong patrol craft to the Philippines and Brunei for deep water training from 30 November to 16 December.

2.

SEAD are also seeking our views on this proposal as the High Commission in Brunei has asked if there are FCO objections before diplomatic clearance is sought from the Sultan. (I told the MOD of this second line of approach. They are clearly not happy that they are not the. sole channel of communication.)

3. The proposal originates from CAPIC Hong Kong and has the backing of CBF Hong Kong. The Governor has not yet been approached.

Such deployments are normally a standard feature of Hong Kong training. However, a similar such request was refused earlier

4.

this year.

They

5. MOD are not happy about the present proposal and would prefer to see it quashed. They do not consider it good tactics to absent two of the patrol craft while seeking reinforcements. expect the Governor to oppose the proposal.

6. Given the present situation in Hong Kong, and in particular the reinforcement study, I recommend that we support the MOD view and object to the proposal.

CODE 18-77

17 October 1979

Khona J. M. Ritchie.

Ms RJ M Ritchie HK&GD

I think we must be cautions about becoming involved in this row: it is for the Governor to task CBF, and for the latter to decide how to deploy his forces. The strength of the garrison has been fixed at a level that, even divis a period of

training. If intense activity, allows an adequate margin for the Governor does indeed come out against the proposal, then we should clearly support him. But I do not think we are in a position to judge with we have his advice: I believe

CONFIDENTIAL

therefore