08173OZ
CONFIDENTIAL
UK EYES A
FM FCO
T IMMEDIATE SEOUL
TEĽNO 009
OF 081443Z JANUARY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE MODUK
CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 063/1 RECE INT
1. JAN 1993
DESK
R
MODUK FOR HOWARD SEC(O)(C) AND THOMPSON (HAAL)
X
PA
Action Tan
MIPTS: UK MILITARY COMMITMENTS IN KOREA
LINE TO TAKE WITH THE UNITED STATES
- WILL BE AWARE UK HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. ROK'S DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA WILL ALSO HELP IN THE PROMOTION OF PEACE IN THE PENINSULA.
WILL BE AWARE OF BOTH OUR GRADUAL WITHDRAWL OF THE UK GARRISON FROM HONG KONG, AND REDUCTIONS IN DEFENCE SPENDING. HAVE TO EXAMINE ALL COMMITMENTS CAREFULLY. HAVE CONCLUDED, AFTER LENGTHY CONSIDERATION, THAT WE CANNOT MAINTAIN THE UK CONTRIBUTION TO THE HONOUR GUARD BEYOND
AT THE END OF THE CURRENT CONTINGENT'S TOUR OF DUTY. AS A RESULT, THE COMMONWEALTH LIAISON MISSION (CLM) WILL ALSO BE WITHDRAWN, SOME TWO MONTHS LATER. - HOPE THAT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION. HAVE PROVIDED MILITARY SUPPORT FOR OVER 40 YEARS FOLLOWING THE KOREAN WAR. DECISION NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY.
UK CONTINUES TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF UNCMAC. WITHDRAWAL OF THE HONOUR GUARD WILL NOT AFFECT OUR POSITION ON THE MILITARY ARMISTICE COMMISSION (MAC). BRITISH DEFENCE ATTACHE AND AIR AND NAVAL ADVISER UNAFFECTED.
- HAVE INFORMED GENERAL RISCASSI, CINCUNC KOREA IN FIRST INSTANCE. BUT WISH TO CLARIFY OUR POSITION WITH YOU. SPEAKING IN SIMILAR TERMS TO KOREA. WILL INFORM CHINESE TO ENSURE NO MISINTERPRETATION.
IF RAISED
BELIEVE NORTH KOREA UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MUCH PROPAGANDA FROM THIS. WILL KEEP DETAILS OF THE WITHDRAWL LOW-KEY MINISTERS WILL HAVE TO INFORM PARLIAMENT, BUT THIS WILL ALSO BE DONE IN A LOW-KEY MANNER WRITTEN ANSWER TO AN INSPIRED PQ . ALSO PROPOSE TO INFORM CHINESE TO ENSURE NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS.
HAVE SEEN POSITIVE SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN NORTH/SOUTH TALKS, ALTHOUGH REALISE STILL A LONG WAY TO GO. IAEA INSPECTIONS PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY ALTHOUGH CONCERNS REMAIN. HAVE MADE CLEAR TO NORTH KOREA OUR WISH TO SEE THESE INSPECTIONS FULLY COMPLETED, AND TO SEE BILATERAL NORTH-SOUTH INSPECTIONS PROCEED. NO WEAKENING IN OUR SUPPORT FOR ROK.
HURD
SINGLE COPIES
FED/HD
HD/NPDD
HD/HKD
HD/UND
SIR J COLES
MS BARRETT, LEGAL ADVISERS
ADDITIONAL
SIR T DAUNT
MR HUM
MOD/HOWARD/SEC(O) (C) MOD/THOMPSON/HAAL
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