SECRET
ние съ3 //
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1R7 M Miss Marsden Mr Story
ра
1/19/13/18/2
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1 2AH
From The Minister of State
18 February 1991
Dear Archie,
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ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE IN HONG KONG
I thought it might be helpful if I set out in writing the main points I made in our conversation on 12 February.
As you know, I am very concerned that no agreement has yet been reached with the Hong Kong Government about the financing arrangements for the retention of the Royal Navy patrol craft in Hong Kong beyond 1992. Sir Michael Quinlan's letter of 4 February to the Governor leaves very little scope for compromise.
I hope and believe that we can start from the premise that we would all like to find an acceptable basis on which to retain these vessels. The CBF sees a strong military case for this; and a recent JIC assessment of the threat to Hong Kong highlighted the dangers posed by the increased number of incursions by Chinese vessels into Hong Kong waters last year. The Chinese are prepared to take more liberties with the Marine Police than with the Navy. It is therefore most important that the White Ensign remains visible in Hong Kong in the run up to 1997, and that there should be sufficient support for the Marine Police during this critical period.
me.
But there are also wider strategic factors which concern The Royal Naval presence in Hong Kong is seen as a symbol of our commitment to the territory. If the patrol boats were to be withdrawn, this would be seen in Peking and Hong Kong as
Events in a clear signal of a diminution of that commitment. the Falklands, following the withdrawal of HMS Endurance in 1981, underline the folly of lowering our guard in this way.
I well understand your budgetary difficulties, particularly at the present time. But the sums involved in retaining the patrol craft (I understand that your department estimate the cost, under the Defence Costs Agreement (DCA)
The Hon Archie Hamilton MP Minister for the Armed Forces Ministry of Defence
Main Building
WHITEHALL SW1A 2HB
SECRET
/whereby the
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