TNAG-2057-FCO40-2935-Armed-incursions-by-China-and-Royal-Navy-rules-of-engagement-1990 — Page 74

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MDHOAN 978

(B) PROPOSAL TO CHANGE ROE 550A TO ROE 550D.

WE ALSO AGREE THAT THIS RULE NEEDS AMENDMENT TO ALLOW, FOR EXAMPLE, A PATROL CRAFT TO ASSIST A HONG KONG PATROL BOAT IF IT IS BEING HARASSED. WE HAVE EXPLAINED TO MOD YOUR PREFERENCE FOR RIDING OFF RATHER THAN SCREENING. THE MOD CONTINUE TO TAKE THE VIEW THAT SCREENING WOULD BE SUFFICIENT. THEY CONSIDER CAND WE AGREE) THAT RIDING OFF · ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE PATROL CRAFT IS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN THE OPPOSITION · IS A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE AGGRESSIVE MANEOUVRE WHICH WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. WE THEREFORE PREFER RULE 550C. (IT IS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR TO THE MOD THAT EITHER OF THESE RULES WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEVANT TO THE LATEST INCIDENT. 670, 680, 690 AND 700 SEEM FAR MORE APPROPRIATE.)

(C) PROPOSAL TO CHANGE ROE 590C TO ROE 590C(1,3,4).

RULES

WE ARE CONTENT THAT NON (NON) AUTOMATIC WEAPONS SHOULD BE VISIBLE, ALTHOUGH LIKE YOU WE WOULD NOT ENVISAGE THAT ARMS SHOULD BE CARRIED AT ALL TIMES. BUT WE AND THE MOD DO NOT (NOT) BELIEVE THAT WEAPONS SHOULD BE POINTED AT SUSPECT VESSELS OR INDIVIDUALS, EVEN IF WEAPONS ARE DISPLAYED BY THE OTHER SIDE. THIS COULD ENTAIL A VERY REAL DANGER OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND UNINTENDED ESCALATION. WE THEREFORE PREFER RULE 590B (IE NO POINTING). THE MOD HAVE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE ROE (ESPECIALLY RULE 520C) GIVE

A COMMANDER THE ABILITY TO RESPOND IN SELF DEFENCE IF HE BELIEVES HE (OR A FRIENDLY UNIT) IS ABOUT TO COME UNDER ARMED ATTACK. IT WOULD IN ANY EVENT BE A RASH INDIVIDUAL WHO THREATENED A PEACOCK

CLASS VESSEL WITH SMALL ARMS.

(D) PROPOSAL TO CHANGE ROE 660A TO ROE 660C.

WE AGREE

4. THE MOD ARE TELEGRAPHING IN PARALLEL TO THE CBF ALONG THESE LINES. IF YOU AND HE ARE CONTENT WITH THESE AMENDMENTS TO YOUR PROPOSALS, WE WOULD NEED TO SUBMIT THE AGREED CHANGES TO MINISTERS FOR THEIR APPROVAL. I HOPE YOU WILL AGREE THAT THESE CHANGES WOULD ENABLE THE RN TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO THE SORT OF INCURSIONS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. WE AND THE MOD WOULD, OF COURSE, BE WILLING TO REVIEW THE POSITION IF INCIDENTS WERE TO OCCUR WHICH SUGGESTED THEY WERE IN ANY WAY INADEQUATE.

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