TNAG-2674-FCO40-3871-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 21

MO 6/19/1M

15th March 1993

HKA 063/1

DES

19 MAR 1993

SECRET

ра

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Mr Ricketts f... Us Bette

VM 17/3

SECRETARY OF STATE

Copy to:

MA/Minister (AF)

PS/US of s DPSO/CDS

PS/PUS

Copy

No4178/3

Mr Hum

(3) Mr Marshall./M. Bunkan do

Pa

Pse keep plugged in to

MAD's Ainking

Sec CNS

MA/CGS

PA/CAS

MA/VCDS

PS/2nd PUS PS/DUS (P)

MA/DCDS (C) ACDS (0) AUS (C) AUS (GF) DO(FEW)

Head of Sec(0) (C)

Press Secretary

GF (Pol)1

FCO (Hong Kong Dept

Sec(0)(C)

Cebell

19

17/3

THE FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON

The Secretary of State was most grateful for your minute of 9 March. The Secretary of State has also seen Minister (AF)'s ideas set out in the minute of 12 March,

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2. The Secretary of State does not wish to write to the Governor until Minister (AF)'s ideas have been explored further so that they can be considered alongside the proposals set out in your minute. Could I therefore ask that you provide the Secretary of State with a preliminary assessment of the implications of the proposals as set out by Minister(AF). In particular the Secretary of State would like to know how much this would cost (in comparison with the cost of the original proposal), how significant it would be in terms of easing over-stretch, what would be the military implications of reducing our posture at an earlier stage, and any other implications which should be brought to his attention.

3. I would be grateful for a note along these lines as quickly as possible. It need only be a preliminary response. The Secretary of State will then wish to hold a meeting.

SECRET

JS PITT-BROOKE) PS/S of S

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