SECRET
MKB 063/1
013254
MDHIAN 2418
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 386
(AMENDED DISTRIBUTION 5/2)
OF 051141Z FEBRUARY 91
la
TOP COPY Q DIST ?/
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT
1. YOU WILL HAVE SEEN IN A MOD TELEGRAM TODAY (P/041445Z FEB 91) THE TEXT OF A LETTER TO ME FROM SIR MICHAEL QUINLAN, MAKING IT CLEAR THAT MOD MINISTERS ARE NOT PREPARED TO AGREE TO THE RETENTION OF THE PATROL CRAFT AFTER 1992 WITHOUT A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT THIS WOULD MEAN FOR MOD.
2. I FIND THIS PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTING. AS I EXPLAINED TO LORD CAITHNESS DURING HIS VISIT LAST WEEK, I SEE THE PROSPECT OF A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION DEVELOPING IF MOD STICK TO THIS LINE.
3. MY MILITARY ADVISERS HERE ARE IN NO DOUBT ABOUT THE NEED TO
RETAIN THE PATROL CRAFT AFTER 1992 IF WE ARE TO HAVE ADEQUATE CONTROL OVER OUR SEA AREA. THERE IS ALSO NO DOUBT THAT TO PUT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE THE PROPOSITION THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
SHOULD PAY MORE FOR THE PATROL CRAFT THAN PROVIDED FOR IN THE DCA WOULD DO VERY SERIOUS DAMAGE TO HMG'S REPUTATION IN HONG KONG.
SUCH A PROPOSITION MIGHT BE TURNED DOWN FLAT. BUT WHATEVER HAPPENED, THE EMOTIONAL TEMPERATURE WOULD BE HIGH. IT WOULD BE THAT MUCH WORSE IF WE SUCCEED, AS I HOPE, IN OBTAINING FINANCE COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL TO MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO HMG'S COSTS
ARISING FROM THE GULF WAR.
4. THE DIMENSION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IS CHINA. WHATEVER THE NICETIES OF THE FINE PRINT, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE CHINESE NOW EXPECT HMG TO RETAIN A ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE IN HONG KONG UP TO 1997, AND THAT THEY WILL BE GREATLY CONCERNED IF THIS TURNS OUT NOT TO BE THE CASE. IN ADDITION TO THIS, TO LOSE THE PATROL CRAFT WOULD NEGATE THE PURPOSE OF THE WORK THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO START ON REPROVISIONING ROYAL NAVAL FACILITIES ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND. THIS IS IN TURN CONNECTED WITH THE ANNOUNCED
INTENTION TO RECLAIM THE HMS TAMAR BASIN FOR DEVELOPMENT
PURPOSES. UNRAVELLING ALL THIS WOULD LEAD US INTO YET MORE
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