TNAG-2057-FCO40-2935-Armed-incursions-by-China-and-Royal-Navy-rules-of-engagement-1990 — Page 76

CONFIDENTIAL covering SECRET

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a

FROM:

A R Paul

A B

Mr

McStone

Moaul Wils Мобил Bush's Agreed: Alegrament 63

Сирати

HONG KONG: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

DATE:

Hong Kong Department

17 May 1990

CC:

Mr McLaren

HK B

EVER

177 / 1

TRY

1 JUN 1990

245/

A 1. I submit a draft reply to the Governor's telegram no 1559, which

takes account of his subsequent telno 1598. The draft is a revised version of a draft which the MOD have provided us, following our discussions with them (copy attached for reference).

C

Ꭰ

2.

Both we and the MOD take the view that the modifications

proposed by the CBF go slightly too far, even with the general

caveats proposed by the Governor, and that they would entail a real

and unnecessary risk of unintentional escalation. The attached

draft telegram is, I hope, self explanatory. But in essence the

changes to the CBF's proposals which the MOD wish to make are:

agree that arms may be carried with live ammunition but only for non automatic weapons;

continue to resist the idea of allowing RN vessels to "ride off";

agree that non automatic weapons may be displayed, but not

pointed at potentially hostile forces the relevant details are

attached

3.

MOD's proposals seem sensible to me and I think we should

support them.

If the Governor and the CBF are content, we will need

to secure the approval of Ministers.

ALAADV

ARPaul

CONFIDENTIAL covering SECRET

A R Paul