TNAG-2237-FCO40-3216-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1991 — Page 43

e.

SECRET UK EYES A

scope for moving to Defence Support Agency (DSA) status. The report found a lack of clarity about the priority of the 3 aims of FCT (buying influence, supporting defence sales, and generating income from the sale of spare capacity). It recommends that whilst DSA status would not be appropriate at present, a tri-Service FCT Branch. should be established to improve efficiency and to provide a central focus for FCT. It also recommends that these aims be prioritised, both in relation to each other and to training for the UK Armed Forces, and that consideration be given to whether the subsidies provided are adequate to support these priorities. Finally, whilst recognising that FCT is primarily an instrument of foreign and defence policy which should not be driven by the profit motive, the report recommends that the new FCT Branch should develop a more active "marketing" role which should be reflected in the objectives set for the organisation. The report is now being staffed.

Report on the MOD contribution to Disaster Relief operations OOA.

(1) Over recent years there has been

has been persistent and unwelcome commentary in the media about

in the media about the percieved inability of the armed forces to render humanitarian aid, following natural disasters, without raising substantial charges. It has been alleged that such charges are unreasonably high and compare very unfavourably with those made by commercial organisations who, albeit cheaper, are often less capable than the armed forces with the wide range of suitable equipment in their inventory. 1991 therefore saw the formation of

joint MOD/Overseas Development Agency (ODA) committee to discuss ways in which the armed forces can improve the service provided to the ODA in disaster situations. A Joint Theatre Plan (JTP), JTP 63, which sets out contingency arrangements for military contributions to disaster relief, is in the course of production.

(2) 1991 brought a series of situations requiring speedy emergency humanitarian relief in the wake of GRANBY. Operations PROVIDE COMFORT, HAVEN and WARDEN showed all too clearly that the Services have no need to feel exposed over the issue; indeed, earlier in the period, effective cooperation between ODA and MOD staffs enabled the timely deployment by the RAF of Royal Engineers (RE) from Belize to provide military assistance to Western Samoa in the wake of cyclone Ofa in February 1990. The Services' rapid response to the requirement for humanitarian aid in Bangladesh in the wake of a cyclone in July 1991 further emphasised MOD/ODA's ability to reach timely agreement.

4.

Notable events

intelligence and

sales

C:\WP50\0OAREP\GENERAL.91

E:\ROU1\0OAREP. GEN

DEFENCE RELATIONS

of the period on political, military,

matters which have implications

for

4

SECRET UK EYES A