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growing interest in averting conflict in areas of strategic concern to the UK, or of containing it at the lowest possible level of intensity. However, the possibility of becoming involved in high intensity operations cannot be excluded and
provision will have to be made for them. This will need to be
reflected in the range of national capabilities maintained.
27.
Western Europe will remain the UK's strategic heartland, but the other regions of greatest strategic concern to the UK will lie to the south and east of Europe's periphery, from the
southern shores of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.
Beyond these regions, however, the UK will retain significant interests and responsibilities.
28. Finally, the British armed forces should continue to provide HMG with a spectrum of military options for use in support of government policy OOA. In the conventional sense these may range from representional activities to major tri- service operations, while the nuclear option exists as a last
resort. In broad terms, however, possible tasks fall into
three main categories: the promotion of stability, the
containment of conflict, and limited war.
AN OPERATIONAL CONCEPT FOR THE PERIOD 2000-2015
THE PROMOTION OF STABILITY
29.
Military Assistance Overseas. MAO is recognized (1) as
one of the most cost-effective and adaptable means of promoting stability and projecting British influence 00A, and of facilitating defence exports. The main elements of MAO are currently F and C training (notes on which are at Annex G),
the provision of LSP, and the deployment of short-term
16CDS 38/88.
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