TNAG-2120-FCO40-3026-Hong-Kong-Garrison-future-of-the-Royal-Navy-presence-1990 — Page 77

CODE 18-77

Mr Paul

+ Boul

& Mr. Burno

ва

SECRET

Reference..

Mr Stone

Before anything is

1,44

Said to SE((0) (c) could

we please have a word?

VISIT TO HONG KONG: 8-13 OCTOBER: ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE

AFLOAT

Win

1. Bits of HKG are very twitched about this subject and the

Governor may have already communicated with you. HKG are

not going to go to FC over this and the gung ho mood is to let the vessels go as originally planned. Part of the thinking is that this would save HK $ 400 million on a new

naval base which the Chinese may not accept as theirs out of spite.

2.

I think the talk of allowing the vessels to go is

bluster, but we must clearly try to come to an accommodation

with the MOD. HKG have indicated a form of words to me

which I shall discuss with SEC(O)(C). I believe it will

allow both sides to feel that honour has been satisfied.

HKG do not want to have to discuss this with the MOD team

which is going there in December.

M V Stone

15 October 1990

EELAIS/1

SECRET