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UK EYES A
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22.
Announcement of First Battalion Withdrawal. It has
been HMG's practice to explain to the PRCG at all stages what plans are involved in the withdrawal of the Hong Kong
Garrison. HMG considers it desirable to continue this
process.
The Chinese were accordingly notified in January
1989 of HMG's intention to make an announcement in mid-1989
regarding the withdrawal of the first battalion from Hong Kong and its subsequent disposal. If the COS endorse the CDS 7/87 recommendation to withdraw the first (Gurkha) battalion in mid 1992, any public announcement is likely to
be linked to an announcement on the future of the Gurkhas
as a whole though this will not necessarily cover the decision on the future disposal of the first battalion withdrawn, which need not be taken until 1990.
CDS
23. withdrawal of Army Supporting Arms and Services. 7/87 directed that the rundown of Army supporting arms and services was to be linked, rather than tied, to the
withdrawals of battalions.
major Gurkha support units
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Clearly, the support of the 3 the Queens Gurkha Engineers,
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the Queens Gurkha Signals and the Gurkha Transport Regiment (or alternatives) as well as of many other minor units will be required until the final withdrawal. However, the size and scale of the Army supporting arms and services should be directly related to the roles and operational requirements of the remaining garrison battalions and RN and RAF units in Hong Kong at all stages of the rundown. Any requirements for Army supporting arms and services to support the Police should also be taken into due consideration. As a principle, Army supporting arms and services should nevertheless be maintained at the leanest, practicable level possible. The first significant
reductions in Army supporting arms and services will take
COS49.6-17
15 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET
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