TNAG-2674-FCO40-3871-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 180

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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

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