TNAG-2238-FCO40-3217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 85

CODE 18-77

Mr Stone

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.....

HKB 063/1

HONG KONG: NAVAL PATROL BOATS

119/3

1. As you will have seen from Mr Gass' minute of

20 February, the Secretary of State has agreed to weigh in with MOD on the future of the Royal Navy patrol craft in

Hong Kong.

2. No particular timing for this has been fixed; but it is quite possible that an opportunity for a bilateral word with

Mr King will arise in the margins of Cabinet.

3.

In anticipation of this, I should like to submit, by the MONDAY weekend if possible, a short list of bull points on this

matter. It should cover no more than one side of paper, and

be accompanied by minimal background.

4. I suggest that the bull points focus on the political/strategic arguments. I think it would be

counterproductive to make too much of the argument that the sums of money involved are trifling. This would only

irritate the MOD, who have genuine budgetary problems, and would expose the FCO to the risk that it might be asked to bridge the gap from its own budget.

Alkane

A R Paul

22 FEBRUARY 1991

VIMACQ/1

CONFIDENTIAL

CC

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