TNAG-1939-FCO40-2765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 24

SECRET UK EYES A

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programmes. 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,

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.

Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)

LTC provision is currently

based on the assumption that a second Gurkha battalion will not be withdrawn until 1996. It is also noteworthy that when CBF Hong Kong's revised Concept of Operations received

the Governor's endorsement in December 1988, the Governor

stated that he envisaged a need for 2 resident battalions

until the final handover rather than having the third

battalion withdraw early in the final phase as had been desired by HKG in the early days of planning. (Paragraph 10a above and paragraph 45, which record the Executive Council

COS53.4-15

13 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

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