TNAG-2674-FCO40-3871-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 183

0817002

CONFIDENTIAL

UK EYES A

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE SEOUL

TELNO 006

OF 081435Z JANUARY 93

INFO IMMEDIATE MODUK

T

CONFIDENTIAL

MODUK FOR HOWARD SEC(O)(C) AND THOMPSON (HAAL)

MIPT: UK MILITARY COMMITMENTS IN KOREA

1. DRAFT PQ, ANSWER AND PRESS LINE TO TAKE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

PQ

TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, IN THE LIGHT OF THE RUNDOWN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON AND EVENTUAL BRITISH WITHDRAWAL, WHAT ARE HIS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF UK FORCES STATIONED IN KOREA?

ANSWER

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RETENTION OF BRITISH FORCES IN KOREA HAS BEEN REVIEWED DUE TO BOTH THE GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON FROM HONG KONG AND OPTIONS FOR CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE BRITISH CONTINGENT OF THE UN HONOUR GUARD, COMPRISING

WILL BE WITHDRAWN BY

AND THAT THE

WILL FOLLOW

COMMONWEALTH LIAISON MISSION OF WITHIN APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT A PEACEFUL SITUATION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND OUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMAND, MILITARY ARMISTICE COMMISSION REMAINS UNCHANGED.

PRESS LINE

DEFENSIVE USE ONLY

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RETENTION OF BRITISH FORCES IN KOREA HAS BEEN REVIEWED, DUE TO BOTH THE EVENTUAL WITHDRAWAL OF THE UK GARRISON FROM HONG KONG AND OPTIONS FOR CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN DECIDED, AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION, THAT THE BRITISH CONTINGENT OF THE UN HONOUR GUARD, COMPRISING

WILL BE WITHDRAWN BY

·

AND THAT THE COMMONWEALTH LIAISON MISSION OF

WILL FOLLOW WITHIN ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND OUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMAND, MILITARY ARMISTICE COMMISSION (UNCMAC) REMAINS UNCHANGED AND OUR COMMITMENT TO A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT ETC.

DOES THIS AFFECT MILITARY ARMISTICE COMMISSION?

IT DOES NOT. UK WILL RETAIN HER SEAT.

US INVOLVED IN DECISION?

DECISION AN INTERNAL UK MATTER.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF UNITED

NATIONS COMMAND (CINCUNC) US GENERAL RISCASSI INFORMED.

WEAKENING OF SUPPORT FOR SOUTH KOREA?

CONHJENTIAL

Honour

A. A