TNAG-1939-FCO40-2765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 45

(86)

SECRET UK EYES A

LOCSEN

of withdrawal of battalions, and of supporting naval and air elements should remain as prescribed by CDS 7/87 - with the exception of 660 Sqn AAC, which should retain aircraft and manpower based on the results of a 6 month trial of a Scout force level of 6 UE and 2 IRR helicopters, to be conducted

from 1 May to 30 October 1989.

54. The COS are also invited to approve the recommendation

that the size and scale of Army supporting arms and services be directly related to the roles and operational

requirements of the remaining garrison battalions, and RN and RAF units remaining in Hong Kong, at all stages during

the rundown.

55. The COS are invited to confirm now their 1987 decision

to withdraw the first of the 4 remaining battalions in

mid-1992.

56. The COS are invited to note that, following their confirmation of this decision, plans will be progressed towards declaring this (Gurkha) battalion non-operational

early in 1992, and redeploying or amalgamating it during the second half of that year.

57. The COS are invited to note that, subject to confirmation of the decision in paragraph 55, a public

announcement on the future of the Gurkhas as a whole will be

made in 1990.

REVIEWS

58.

The COS are asked to endorse the proposal that the next biennial review should be cancelled, and that the major 1992

review of the Hong Kong Garrison Withdrawal Plan should be advanced, and completed by the end of 1991 (6 months before the withdrawal of the first of the 4 remaining battalions).

COS53.4-15

34 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

SECRET

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