TNAG-1638-FCO40-2282-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 35

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WITHDRAWAL SEQUENCE FACTORS

49.

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Apart from revisions to the threat assessment and the progress of the Police Expansion Plan, 3 factors will affect the sequence

of withdrawal of the Sovereign Force battalions. These are

summarised below:

Gurkha or UK

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a. The 'Gurkha or UK' Final Presence Issue. Conflicting

financial, administrative, logistic and operational arguments are deployed in the debate concerning the preferred nationality

of the 'Final

Presence'. There is a political imperative to retain a symbol of sovereignty to the end, and a need to reassure the PRCG of the UK's commitment to the Territory. It is therefore judged that the best basis for planning is to incorporate a significant UK element in the 'Sovereign Force Hong Kong' until the date of the final withdrawal from the Territory. During the final stage the UK element could serve on a roulement basis; however, if relocated to Borneo Lines it would be possible for the unit to remain accompanied until the last few months.

b.

The Future of Withdrawn Battalions. The future disposal of battalions withdrawn from Hong Kong will bear on LTCS and the future of the Brigade of Gurkhas. These will be high profile political decisions but, to enable the Army Department (AD) to carry out its responsibilities, decisions on force levels will need to be timely. This will be necessary to preserve morale, discipline and standards - factors which will in turn have a bearing on stability in

the Territory.

C. The Vacation of Barracks. It is desirable to vacate barracks occupying prime urban sites as soon as possible. In addition, there is a need to provide barracks close to the border for the PTU IID Companies. (Detailed discussion is at Annex I Appendix 1). It is becoming apparent that the PRCG also have views concerning their future requirements

for barracks in Hong Kong.

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