TNAG-1936-FCO40-2762-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 57

J

LOOSE MINUTE

D/DI(Sec) 21/75

SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN

16 January 1989

HKC062/1

Cra

30 JAN 1989

DD Cts (ROW)

тра

Copy to:

See distribution

HONG KONG GARRISON WITHDRAWAL PLAN (CDS 8/87) SECOND DRAFT

References:

A.

B.

FIRST REVISE

D Cts Staff (R) 76/259/22/1 dated 20 Dec 88 D/Cts Staff (R) 76/259/28 dated 21 August 87

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the two-star draft of this paper circulated under cover of Reference A.

1.

2. In response to the two questions raised in paragraph 5 and 6 of Reference A the DIS has the following views:

39

a)

we are content with the title 'Sovereign Force Hong Kong".

b)

we support the proposals for PURPLE VENTURE 92. However, the mounting of the exercise could be construed in quite the opposite way. We propose that the following note of caution is included in Para 37:

"Since by 1992 the potential problems described in paragraph 11 could become more starkly apparent, a well thought out and presented publicity line will be required, both to ensure that the exercise generates a positive response and to avoid the Hong Kong Government and people misconstruing the exercise as indicating that the UK anticipates trouble before 1997 and does not believe the Hong Kong authorities have the capability to protect the Colony".

3. On a quite separate point, we would like to see

we would like to see the management and support aspects of the DIS 1991 study referred to in paragraph 13 linked with the overall study of "intelligence" laid on DGMSI at Reference B and due to be produced by "mid-92". Also, given the proposal now to bring forward by one year the original 1992 major review of the Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan, it would seem sensible to advance DGMSI's overall study by a similar period to

SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN