TNAG-2238-FCO40-3217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 51

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A

:

22 MAR 1991

miniti org/cait

PS/Lord Caithness

HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 22 March 1991

と

cc: Sir J Coles

Mr Burns

HKB 063 / 1 Pa

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

0 8 APR 1991

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DESE

CEA

RES

INDEX

i j

Problem

We owe Mr Hamilton a reply to his letter of 26 February

about Hong Kong patrol craft.

1.

Recommendation

2. The Secretary of State has agreed to take the matter up

with the Defence Secretary on his return from Hong Kong and

China. In the meantime, a holding reply is needed. I

submit a draft.

Background

3. The Governor raised the question of the patrol craft during his recent visit. He explained to the Secretary of State that the patrol boats were needed to prevent Chinese

incursion into Hong Kong waters and that if they were removed, the Chinese would see it as a British ploy to de-legitimise a Chinese naval presence after the handover. The Secretary of State agreed that he would discuss the matter with the Defence Secretary after his return from the

Far East.

4.

The Ministry of Defence are keen to bring the matter to a head as soon as possible. Moreover, there is a risk that the issue could become overtaken by the wider questions in

LEGAFE/1

CONFIDENTIAL

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