IV
DIPRICE ASPECTS
PALKLANDS FORCE LEVELS ?
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Force levels continually under review: to minimum
necessary to ensure Islands' defence.
As Defence Secretary made clear during visit to Falklands, confident can reinforce, through Mount Pleasant, if necessary.
As 1986 Statement on Defence Estimates noted, new
airport should make possible further force level
reduction.
REINFORCEMENT EXERCISES?
Matter for rt hon Friend Secretary of State for
Defence.
ARGENTINE THREAT TO MOUNT PLEASANT ? ARGENTINE AIR
STRENGTH?
Not practice to discuss military assessments.
"FORTRESS FALKLANDS"/MILITARISATION?
As
Untrue. Our military presence result of Argentine
actions in 1982; solely to ensure Islands' defence.
Alfonsin recently stated, Islands not strategically
important. Garrison steadily reduced since conflict.
CIVILIAN USE OF MOUNT PLEASANT AIRPORT/TOWER AIR
FLIGHT/FISHING CREW CHANGES THROUGH MP A
Welcome the development of airport's civilian role
which expect will become more important.
FIPZ/CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES
Decision to lift FIPZ must take account of all
relevant considerations. Argentine declaration of
cessation of hostilities could not be sole trigger; we
must eg be satisfied that Argentina renounces use of
force.
D
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