TNAG-1941-FCO40-2767-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 49

SECRET UK EYES A

addition, Kenya's key geographical position in east and northeast Africa and continuing good relationships with the UK is important

hen considering Services Assisted Evacuation plans. Kenya's

airfield facilities would play an essential part in Joint

Theatre Plans for the evacuation of British nationals from

Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan; areas in which considerable internal

unrest continues.

36.

In Southern Central Africa BMATT Zimbabwe has extended its

already considerable influence both within country and in

Mozambique. The Team is involved in force restructuring of

elements of the Zimbabwe National Army and has successfully established a Logistics Academy. As a result of the Prime

Minister's visit to Zimbabwe and Mozambique this year, the

throughput of Mozambique troops undergoing training at Nyanga has doubled. These two additional tasks have led to a small

Λ increase in BMATT Zimbabwe's establishment. The BATT in

Botswana is now well established and is beginning to provide a

valuable service. In Namibia, a British contingent comprising

n

a

Jaz Royal Signals Squadron provides the force communications to the Lor? United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). Providing the

transition to independence goes according to plan UNTAG will

withdraw in April 1990. There is a possibility of further British

military assistance to Namibia post independence.

SOUTH AMERICA

37. Of late, and apart from the Falklands factor, South America

has received minor consideration in British Foreign and hence

OOA policy. The Latin America Heads of Mission Conference

.

held in London in May affirmed our foreign policy objectives in the region to include: the need to help maintain pro-Western

alignment of Latin America; to promote UK interests and to

enhance the UK image and influence in the region; and to

stimulate increased UK exporter and investor interest in the

region, consistent with both the short-term risks and the

continent's considerable potential. There are increasingly

clear signs from the majority of posts in this continent that

there is a degree of awakening interest in the UK defence

SECRET UK EYES A

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