TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 22

SECRET UK EYES A

LOCSEN

the Garrison Withdrawal.

The progress of the Police Plan,

the resultant implications and other related factors affecting the withdrawal leading to conclusions are

<<

examined in the following paragraphs.

THE LAND BORDER

20. Police Expansion and Battalion Reductions. The RHKP'S planned recruitment programme commenced a year late.

Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)

programmes.

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and are now developing their training

Notwithstanding this set-back, the RHKP's

target dates for assumption of responsibilities on the

Border remain in line with CDS 7/87. The Police still

envisage taking over half the Border by end-1991. The HKG attach great importance to meeting this deadline because it

will enable the RHKP to demonstrate to the Chinese - well

before 1997 their reliability to assume responsibilities in the SAR post-1997. The HKG views the Police Expansion Plan as flexible and, if necessary, could reallocate

resources so that PTUS can man half the Border by end-1991; this would allow the Garrison to reduce by one battalion in

1992. Thereafter, the Police envisage their achievement of

capability will accelerate; their current timetable for assumption of responsibility for the whole Border is by the end of 1992 earlier than forecast by CDS 7/87. However,

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the date of 1994 remains a valid timescale for withdrawal of

the second (Gurkha) battalion because the HKG shares the view of MODUK and HQBFHK that a one year gap between achievement of the Police capability and the second

reduction is advisable.

COS49.6-17

13 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

SECRET