ZCZC
SECRET
FCOLN
PP HOKON
FM DCCUK TO MODAD
231030Z APR GRS NC
SECRET /EXCLUSIVE
TOP COPY
Mr Stone
Rn 24//v
P 231030Z APR 90
FM MODUK
TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG
NAFO CBF HONG KONG
FCO LONDON
BT,
SECRET EXCLUSIVE UK EYES ALFA LOCSEN
SHIC AAA/ACA/ZAC/EAD
EXCLUSIVE FOR WOTHERSPOON SECURITY BRANCH. EXCLUSIVE FOR CBF. FCO FOR MR MCLAREN.
FROM HATFIELD SEC(0)(C).
SUBJECT: ROYAL NAVY PRESENCE IN HONG KONG. REFERENCE: YOUR TELNO 1185.
1. WE HAVE SEEN YOUR TUR TO THE FCO AND HAVE DISCUSSED T WITH ROBIN MCCLAREN THERE.
2. IT IS COMMON GROUND BETWEEN ALL THREE OF US THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A POLITICALLY DAMAGING ROW AS A RESULT OF RE-OPENING THE QUESTION OF THE DCA WITH LEGCO. NEVERTHELESS, IF WE ARE TO RETAIN THE PATROL CRAFT IN HONG KONG UNTHA 1997, PRINCIPALLY FOR POLITICAL REASONS, WE MUST FIND A WAY OF COPING WITH THE LACK OF MOD FUNDING AND MANPOWER. WE HAVE ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS NOT REALISTIC TO SEEK 100 PER CENT FUNDING OF RUNNING COSTS BUT, AS WE SAID WHEN WE MET, WE BELIEVE WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT ON PRAGMATIC FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL MEET YOUR LEGITIMATE POLITICALI CONCERNS AND TAKE ACCOUNT. OF THE MOD'S PROGRAMMING AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. WE ARE READY TO BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT THE FORM THIS MIGHT TAKE.
3. THIS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD MAKE EARLY PROPOSALS ON THIS IF WE ARE TO MAKE PLANS TO RETAIN THE PEACOCKS. RATHER THAN ENGAGE IN A POINT BY POINT. DISCUSSION BY TELEGRAM OF THE ISSUES RAISED IN TUR, WOULD MUCH PREFER TO HAVE AN INFORMAL RUN OVER THE GROUND WHEN COME OUT TO HONG KONG FIN EARLY MAY. THIS SHOULD ALLOW US TO REACH A BETTER UNDER- STANDING OF EACH OTHER'S PROBLEMS AND, I HOPE, IDENTIFY A SENSIBLE BASHIS FOR HANDLING THE ISSUE THENCEFORWARD BT,
LIMITED
HD/HKD HD/DEFENCE
D
polo Maude. Mr Gillmne My Mc Laren Ma Goulden
SECRET /EXCLUSIVE
19
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