TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 145

MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE ARMED FORCES

LOOSE MINUTE

D/MIN(AF)/AH/5/1/4

7Jun 91

Sec(0)(C)

Copy to:

APS/SofS

PS/USofS (AF)

DPSO/CDS

PS/PUS

MA/CGS

PS/VCDS ACDS (0) AUS(C)

CURAN PENTIAL

Mr M L Howard

DROW DMO

DASD

Thanks

Mr çox

M

Yes. I have abeady sent a

draft

MOD.

across

Should issue tonight.

Hd Sec(Pol Studies)

Hd RP(Army)

Hd GS Sec

DCPR

FCO (Hong Kong Dept)

Mr. Cox ner Stave

пи

fa

79

What next Tel to HKC ? ?

in

to

11/6

HKE 063/1

12/6

Mr Stone

HONG KONG GARRISON: WITHDRAWAL OF FIRST BATTALION

1.

G8

Thank you for your minute (6/7) dated 6 June which Minister (AF) has seen.

2.

The Minister is content for one battalion to be removed from the Hong Kong Garrison ORBAT with effect from April 1992 in accordance with the agreed Garrison Withdrawal Plan. The Minister is also content for the Chinese to be informed in advance through the Joint Liaison Group Staff in Hong Kong although he considers that this should not be done too far (perhaps up to one week) in advance of any announcement on Regiments and the Future of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Mr Hamilton also thinks that the information given to the Chinese should be restricted to the announcement that one battalion would be withdrawn from the ORBAT wef April 1992.

3.

Mr Hamilton noted the close co-ordination of the handling of this issue but would like to be consulted before final implementation of the announcement.

Jaburance

JR DURANCE

Lt Col

MA/Minister(AF) MB 6113 82551 MB

COCONFIDENTIAL”