TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

ΠΙΣΗ

4. We therefore face the unattractive prospect of having to withdraw the patrol craft in 1992, in the

absence of any agreement over the financing. There is

now an urgent need for a decision but before committing

ourselves irrevocably, I believe, as I made clear in my minute to you on 18 June abut HMS Endurance, it would be

sensible to consider this issue in the wider context of our overall defence responsibilities for Hong Kong (including the garrison withdrawal plan and the Gurkhas)

and our other out of area responsibilities. For instance

the patrol craft visit Brunei and Malaysia where we have substantial interests and take part in joint exercises

such as the recent one under the Five Power Defence

Agreement. Accordingly I have asked my officials to

produce an urgent paper on this, and I should be grateful if you could agree to defer any final decision for a

couple of weeks until this work has been completed.

5. I am sending copies of this minute to the

Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury,

and to Sir Robin Butler.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

4 July 1991

みに

CONFIDENTIAL

(DOUGLAS HURD)