TNAG-1937-FCO40-2763-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 52

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Government's current state of planning. CBF has confirmed today that he is content for the Paper to be forwarded to the Governor.

3.

Whilst the Paper invites written confirmation of the Governor's views, I doubt that this will be forthcoming until the Executive Council (EXCO) have met to discuss the FCO's summary of the Withdrawal Plan on 28 Feb 89. This is the day that the COS were scheduled to receive the finalised First Revise for consideration out of committee. In anticipation of EXCO issuing statements regarding the Future RN Presence and the required number of battalions during the final years - subsequent to their meeting, arrangements have been made to defer the submission of the finalised First Revise to the COS until 15 Mar 88.

4. Notwithstanding this deferral, and in view of EX WINTEX,

Ex I would still prefer to abide by the original staffing timescale for submission of the fourth draft to VCDS and HODs on Thurs 16 Feb. To this end, I would be grateful

I would be grateful if notification of your clearance of, or comments on, the Withdrawal Plan could be forwarded to reach D Cts ROW 3 by midday on 13 Feb latest.

Long Wallen

DCDS (C)

Enclosure: 1. 1989 Review of the Hong Kong Garrison Outline

Withdrawal Plan Third Draft (Annex F to ACGS only).

-

Annex: A. Historical Progression of Staffing of First Revise

of Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan.

Distribution:

External:

Action:

CBF Hong Kong (2) (Less Enclosure 1 and Annex A)

FCO (нd нK Dept)

(1)

FCO (Hd Def Dept) (1) ~

Information:

UKCICC (0) (1)

Internal:

Action:

ACNS (1)

ACGS (1) ACAS (1)

Information:

PSO/CDS (1) PS/VCDS (1)

ACDS (NATO/UK) (1)

~~

Hd Sec (0) (C) (1) File (1) DMO (1) .:

Hd RP (Army) (1)

Spare (3) Float(1)

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