TNAG-2122-FCO40-3028-Future-of-the-Brigade-of-Gurkhas-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 22

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FOR OURSELVES PARTICULARY IN THE LIKELY POLITICAL CLIMATE BETWEEN NOW AND ANY ELECTION, IF WE WALK OVER NEPALESE SENSITIVITIES. INDEED IF DRASTIC DECISIONS WERE IN VIEW THERE WOULD BE A STRONG

CASE FOR FORMAL CONSULTATION WITH MYSELF IN LONDON AT THE RIGHT MOMENT, IN THE BASIS OF PRIOR CONTACTS WITH THE NEPALESE GOVERNMENT.

5.

THE TIMETALBLE AT YOUR END CAND DECISIONS ON INDIVIDUAL

REGIMENTS) IS CLEARLY COMPLICATED BY THE GULF. (WHEN I LEFT

LONDON THE TURN OF THE YEAR SEEMED LIKELY FOR DECISIONS (WITH AN

ANNOUNCEMENT FAIRLY EARLY IN 1991) : BUT THIS COULD HAVE SLIPPED. MEANWHILE, I EXPECT THAT THE RUMOUR MACHINE WILL BE AT WORK. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN IF WE ARE TO INTERVENE

HELPFULLY AND TO PRESENT THE RIGHT FACE TO THE NEPALESE. I

SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD KEEP ME REGULARLY IN TOUCH.

6.

WHETHER OR NOT THE BRIGADE REMAINS AT THE STRENGTH CURRENTLY

IN VIEW WE SHALL FOR SEVERAL DECADES RETAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO

PAST SOLDIERS FOR BOTH PENSION PAYING AND WELFARE. ONE POINT

I HAVE LEARNED SINCE I ARRIVED IS THAT IN SOME RESPECTS WE HAVE

FALLEN BEHIND THE INDIANS IN MATTERS OF GURKHA WELFARE (THOUGH DEFENSIVELY SO UP TO NOW). WITH THE FORMATION OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT THE WELFARE PROBLEMS OF OUR FORMER SOLDIERS ARE LIKELY TO BE THAT MUCH MORE SENSITIVE, AND COULD EASILY BECOME A QUASI CONSULAR BURDEN ON THIS EMBASSY AS WELL AS ON THE

BRITISH GURKHAS NEPAL. MOD MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE

LONG TERM WELFARE PACKAGE RIGHT IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THERE

IS A FURTHER RUN-DOWN. I HAVE NOT YET GOT MY HEAD FULLY ROUND THIS ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM, BUT I MAY HAVE TO BE IN TOUCH FURTHER ABOUT IT.

SIGNED TIMOTHY GEORGE

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