TNAG-2240-FCO40-3219-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 195

A

*

ns

Pa

Foglin

Mr Stone

Wah

Mr Beamish

Private Secretary

HMS ENDURANCE

CONFIDENTIAL -

(124)

HKR 063/1 ние

FROM: M S BAKER-BATES

SOUTH ATLANTIC & ANTARCTIC DEPT DATE : 9 July 1991

cc: PS/Lord Caithness

PS/ Mr Garel-Jones PS/Mr Lennox Boyd PS/PUS

Mr Bloomfield, Mr Smith, NPDD Mr Goulden

Mr Burns

Mr Paul

Mr Baker

123)

1. Mr Gass in his minute of 5 July mentioned that the Secretary of State believed that ENDURANCE was a symbol and that a substitute might be less so.

2.

In the context of the defence of the Falkland Islands today ENDURANCE has a largely symbolic role.

There are, however, those on the Islands who fear that if the MOD were to reduce the naval presence around the Falkland Islands in some future cost cutting exercise and ENDURANCE were no longer in service, the Falklands would be seriously exposed.

3. In Antarctica, HMS ENDURANCE (and any successor) has an important practical, as well as symbolic, role to play. The key points are:

- The British Antarctic Survey's (BAS) science programmes accord with the Government's interests in the British Antarctic Territory (BAT);

-

BAS provides a civilian administration;

the BAT is, however, claimed by Argentina and Chile;

both countries demonstrate their presence through their armed forces;

for 45 years HM ships

-

for the last 23 years HMS ENDURANCE

-

have been sent to the BAT in support of the civilian presence and administration;

- a mobile naval unit, with helicopters to extend the range of her influence, is cost effective;

CONFIDENTIAL

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