TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 189

SECRET

SECRET

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 956

OF 161245Z MAY 91

HKB 063/1

INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

034003

MDHOAN 3673

TOP COPY Q DIST?

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD

ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT

1. I UNDERSTAND FROM NIGEL COX (OUR TELECON OF 16 MAY) THAT YOU WOULD APPRECIATE A COPY OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S LETTER TO THE DEFENCE SECRETARY ON THIS SUBJECT AND AN INDICATION OF THE TIMING PRESSURE AT THIS END.

2. ACCORDING TO THE MOD, THE PRESSURE FOR AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THIS ISSUE IS NOW INTENSE. THIS ARISES FROM THE FACT THAT, IF THE BOATS ARE TO BE WITHDRAWN IN 1992, PLANNING OF A PRACTICAL/PERSONNEL NATURE SHOULD BY NOW HAVE BEGUN. PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, HOWEVER, ALL CONTINGENCY WORK ON THESE MATTERS HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. AS WITH TIMING PROBLEMS OF THIS KIND, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO STRETCH THE ELASTIC A BIT FURTHER, BUT THE POINT WILL COME (AND SOON) WHEN IT FINALLY SNAPS.

3.

FOR THIS REASON, THE MOD ARE MOST ANXIOUS THAT TALKS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN LONDON BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH. I THINK YOUR IDEA OF CUTTING THE NUMBER OF PATROL CRAFT WILL BE SEEN BY THE MOD AS HELPFUL, BUT THEY ARE LIKELY TO WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR TEAM OTHER COST CUTTING OPTIONS.

4.

A COPY OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S LETTER TO THE DEFENCE SECRETARY IS BEING FAXED TO YOU TODAY. I WILL TELEGRAPH AGAIN AS SOON AS I KNOW THE TERMS OF THE DEFENCE SECRETARY'S REPLY.

HURD

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