TNAG-2120-FCO40-3026-Hong-Kong-Garrison-future-of-the-Royal-Navy-presence-1990 — Page 236

SECRET FM FCO

TO TELELETTER HONG KONG TELELETTER FILE REF NFR

OF 17100OZ JANUARY 90

FROM STONE HKD FCO

SECRET

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

31 JAN 1990

DESK OFFICER

INUE

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

026357

MDTTAN 1015

TO WATHERSPOON SECURITY BRANCH HONG KONG

ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT

1.

WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TELEGRAM 196 OF 16 JANUARY ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO PROBE FURTHER YOUR ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A

MILITARY CASE FOR RETENTION OF A NAVAL PRESENCE. WE WILL NEED STRONG ARGUMENTS TO COUNTER THE MOD LINE AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL

FOR ALL THE ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE US.

2.

I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN IN PARAGRAPH 7 OF YOUR PAPER BY QUOTE UPHOLDING SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY UNQUOTE. WHY WOULD IT NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR MARPOL TO DO THIS QUERY. I AM ALSO NOT CLEAR WHY IT WOULD REQUIRE A ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE TO COUNTER ANY POSSIBLE EROSION OF HONG KONG'S SEA BORDERS BY CHINESE INCURSIONS. AGAIN, WOULD NOT MARPOL BE CAPABLE AND CHARGED WITH CARRYING OUT SUCH FUNCTIONS QUERY.

.

YOU SUGGEST IN PARAGRAPH 7 THAT THE THREAT OF CONFRONTATION

WITH THE CHINESE AT SEA HAS INCREASED SINCE JUNE 1989. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER THIS CHANGE IN VIEW IS AS A RESULT OF FORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG. I HAVE IN MIND THAT THE MOD MAY NOT AGREE THAT THE THREAT OF

CONFRONTATION AT SEA HAS INCREASED.

YOUR COMMENTS ON THE MOOTED USE OF BIRD-CLASS VESSESL ARE HELPFUL. I HOPE WE WILL QUASH THIS SUGGESTION.

4-

IF THERE IS FURTHER INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN SUPPLY US, WOULD BE PLEASED TO RECEIVE IT.

WE

5.

SIGNED M V STONE

NNNN