TNAG-2240-FCO40-3219-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 153

AS I HAVE

EXILLAINED IN PRIMIOUS CORRESPONDENCE,

I HAS NO

NO OJJRT $

THAT THEY

CONTINUE TO

PERFURTU AN IMPORTANT

MILITARY

CONFIDENTIAL,

AND POLITICAL FUNCTION. THEIR PREMATURE WITHDRAWAL WOULD SEND THE

LARONG

SIGINALS,

BUTH LUCALLY

AND TO

THE

CHINESE,

WITH

POTENTIALLY

SERIOUS

CENDIFQUENCES

I BELIEVES A WAAY MUST

BE Form

no

REJULVESA

Ons

bif

String bitck-

britt ICES

Kowe

Quicking

I have also reluctantly

concluded that,

Pra

at the Cevenar

comial this.

of 475 has consistently mantraved Hith would loose a great deal by forcing to thig to go to the femore committee of t course important primarily in the Falklands context -

the Legistatis ship is perceived by the Argentines, Falkland Islanders

and other countries as the embodiment of HMG's commitment

to our Dependent Territories in the South Atlantic. But just as important is the practical role of the ship both in supporting our claim to the BAT against competing

claims by Argentina and Chile (both of whom demonstrate

their presence through their armed forces) and in enabling the British Antarctic Survey to carry out

scientific work in areas it could not otherwise reach.

4.

Territory. with the settland

As for the Patrol Craft in Hong Kong there is no

doubt in my mind about their important political and

military role. Premature withdrawal could I believe

jeopardise much of what we have been working for in the

If diffofste improved relations allt China oper Now have a year basic for

HIC・ withdrawed of the craft could well unravel it

I must therefore ask you to look again at the

continued deployment of both HMS Endurance (or a

replacement should that be necessary) and the patrol

craft on the same basis as hitherto.

5.

W

6. The two other deployments about which I am concerned that problems might soon arise are the Belize Garrison and the West Indies Guard Ship (WIGS). As regards

Belize, our ultimate objective is of course full

withdrawal of the garrison, and preferably sooner rather

than later. But I hope there will be no question of partial or early withdrawal before a satisfactory outcome

is reached in the talks between Belize and Guatemala.

Such proposals could raise doubts in both countries about our commitment, and upset prospects for a negotiated settlement. As for the WIGS, apart from its rebrance to

CONFIDENTIAL