TNAG-1941-FCO40-2767-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 45

SECRET UK EYES A

regional powers in the first instance. Brunei signed the

rotocol for her major defence procurement programme in October; this included BAe Hawks and Vosper OPVS. The provision of

associated training support will ensure the continuation of the

special relationship, and benefit regional stability, for the

next decade.

27. Relations with Indonesia progress satisfactorily. Direct military contacts in 1989 centred principally on the military assistance front, with a Rapier BMAT, an AD adviser and a Hawk

QFI in country. During the year the Indonesian Navy expressed an

interest in establishing closer links with the RN and a number of

initiatives were progressed, helped by the visits of the HMY BRITANNIA and HMS NOTTINGHAM in November. Indonesia is reported to be well disposed to measures which enhance regional stability

and is apparently content with the accession of Brunei to the

FPDA. Next year should see the first official visit to London

for many years by an Indonesian Minister of Defence, signifying

the scope for development of closer links.

THE CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA

28.

The Caribbean littoral swept to prominence in August when President Barco of Colombia appealed for help from the international community in the fight against the burgeoning drugs trade in his country. The Prime Minister directed that

aid should be offered to Colombia and having now established how

we can best assist, a package of training and material

assistance is well underway. WIGS, who had already enjoyed some moderate successes in cooperating with the newly refigured US Coast Guard (USCG) and Joint Task Force 4, was re-scheduled to

visit Colombia in early October to liaise with their navy, and a successful joint anti-drug patrol took place in November.

Further such joint patrols are planned. In addition certain relaxations in the rules governing WIGS' cooperation with the USCG in anti-drug patrols were introduced with the result that

whilst remaining carefully within Ministerial guidelines as to her conduct, WIGS and her supporting RFA have now assumed a

SECRET UK EYES A

11

Page 45Page 46