TNAG-2404-FCO40-3491-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1992 — Page 164

25 March 1992

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RC Mottram Esq

DUS (P)

Ministry of Defence

Main Building Room 6323

LONDON SW1A 2HB

OUT OF AREA (00A) DEFENCE COMMITMENTS

1.

My Secretary of State wrote to yours last year (Minute FCS/91/168 of 15 July 1991) setting out the case for retaining a number of 00A commitments notably in the South Atlantic and Hong Kong. But he also mentioned others that would need ministerial consideration inter-departmentally before any moves were made to alter them. The completion recently of the 1991 Annual Out of Area Report, CDS 10/92, has prompted me to write to you outlining those continuing OOA commitments the FCO consider would need ministerial consideration before any decisions are reached to reduce force levels or to alter funding arrangements.

The list below does not rehearse in detail the political arguments about individual commitments. These are familiar

2.

to you.

(a) Replacement of HMS Endurance

The MOD has agreed to buy the replacement to HMS Endurance, Polar Circle. But I understand that you are consulting the Treasury about funding.

(b)

Falklands/South Georgia

The Review of South Atlantic Defence Commitments 1991, CDS 8/92 gives the Chief of Staff's opinion that the South Georgia Garrison should be withdrawn by 1 March 1993, but goes on to recommend that the question of withdrawal should be resolved by OPD.

(c) Belize

The MOD decision to withdraw ageing GR3 Harrier aircraft later this year raises a question over funding of replacement aircraft or of any delay in withdrawing the GR3s.

(a)/

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