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(CONFIDENTIAL OTHER THAN PARAS 6 8)
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Macau". The Hong Kong agreement will no doubt be the blueprint for a Macau agreement. We shall need to keep an eye on the
negotiations.
If the Portuguese agree matters not covered
in the Hong Kong agreement (eg shape of future
executive, interpretation of Basic Law) this will inevitably affect
Hong Kong.
A
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG
5.
Partial elections to Hong Kong Legislative Council for the first time in September this year. Just short of half members will be elected by college consisting of directly elected representatives at
District Board (lower tier administration) level, and by functional
constituencies eg lawyers, trades union, doctors etc (copy of White Paper with details attached). Some signs of Chinese anxiety about
pace of reform. Further review of system in 1987 before 1988
elections.
DEFENCE
6. Decision on reducing garrison from five to four battalions at present under consideration by us. Paper for OD (K) in preparation. Case looks strong. Would represent return to 1980 levels, which Commander British Forces (CBF) considers justified following agreement, and is result of cancellation of expensive Kohima Barracks project not now considered justified.
7. CBF Hong Kong gave interview to Hong Kong television on 9 May in which he mentioned possibility of establishing internal security force to assist police, and also referred to possible PLA presence in Hong Kong after 1997. Communist press in Hong Kong has attacked CBF on ground that PLA role in Hong Kong after 1997 not business of British Government. No official comment from Chinese side.
8. The Governor has given us his initial thoughts on run-down of garrison up to 1997 (which will be the subject of an FCO/MOD paper in early 1986). He foresees the following possible scenario: 1987 - reduction of garrison from 5 to 4 battalions; 1990 - reduction to 3 THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
40
CLOSED FOR
....40 YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No....27)
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