081705Z
CONFIDENTIAL
UK EYES AL
FM CO
TO IMMEDIATE SEOUL
TELNO 007
OF 081437Z JANUARY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE MODUK
CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 063/1 RECEIVED IN F
AY
14 JAN 1993
DESK OFFER
PA
Adion Tuke
DEX
MODUK FOR HOWARD SEC (0) (C) AND THOMPSON (HAAL)
MIPT: UK MILITARY COMMIMTMENTS IN KOREA
LINES FOR DA TO TAKE WITH GENERAL RISCASSI, CINCUNC
- WILL BE AWARE OF BOTH OUR GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL OF THE UK GARRISON FROM HONG KONG, AND REDUCTIONS IN DEFENCE SPENDING. HAVING 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 CLM WILL ALSO BE WITHDRAWAN, SOME TWO MONTHS LATER.
KNOW THIS DECISION WILL CAUSE DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT HOPE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION. DECISION NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY. UK CONTINUES TO BE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF UNCMAC. WITHDRAWAL OF HONOUR GUARD WILL NOT AFFECT MY POSITION IN THE MILITARY ARMISTICE COMMISSION.
- PLEASE INFORM UN OF OUR DECISION. WE WILL INFORM THE ROK MFA AND THROUGH OUR EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND DOD.
IF RAISED
BELIEVE NORTH KOREA UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MUCH PROPAGANDA FROM THIS: UK STILL COMMITTED TO AND HAS SEAT ON THE MAC. WILL KEEP DETAILS OF WITHDRAWAL LOW-KEY BRITISH MINISTERS WILL HAVE TO INFORM PARLIAMENT, BUT THIS WILL ALSO BE DONE IN A LOW-KEY WAY
WRITTEN ANSWER TO AN INSPIRED PQ.
HAVE
HAVE SEEN POSITIVE SIGNS OF PROGRESS MAINLY IN NORTH/SOUTH DIALOGUE, ALTHOUGH REALISE STILL A LONG WAY TO GO. IAEA INSPECTIONS PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY ALTHOUGH CONCERNS REMAIN. MADE CLEAR TO NORTH KOREA OUR WISH TO SEE THOSE INSPECTIONS FULLY COMPLETED, AND TO SEE BILATERAL NORTH-SOUTH INSPECTIONS PROCEED. NO WEAKENING IN OUR SUPPORT FOR ROK.
ROK'S DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA SHOULD ALSO HELP IN THE PROMOTION OF PEACE IN THE PENINSULA.
HURD
YYYY
NNN N
SINGLE COPIES
MS BARRETT, LEGAL ADVISERS
SIR J
COLES
SIR T DAUNT
ΜΑΙΝ
FED/MD
HD/NPDD
HD/HKD
HD/UND
MR HUM
ADDITIONAL
MOD/HOWARD/SEC(O) (C)
MOD/THOMPSON/HAAL
3
Page 180Page 181
081643Z
CONFIDENTIAL
UK EYES A
FM FCO
TMMEDIATE SEOUL
TELNO 005
OF 081428Z JANUARY 92
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.