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UK EYES A
timetable for public consumption, drawn up with this in mind.
14. We will also need to consider how to inform the Chinese (and other interested Governments such as Nepal and Brunei) of our plans and the extent to which this will need to be done in advance of public notification.
SUMMARY
15.
In sum, it is recommended that Ministers should
a.
Agree that we should plan on the withdrawal of the next Gurkha battalion in the second half of 1994, with a firm announcement being made as soon as possible after the detailed Review is complete in September 1993.
b.
Note the factors that will need to be taken into account in handling the last 6 months of the Garrison and in particular:
(1) Agree that accompanied service should cease in August 1996 for UK servicemen and November 1996 for Gurkhas; and
(2) Agree that the views of the Governor and the FCO on the political and PR profile of the final withdrawal should be sought; and note the option of using the planned RN deployment to the Far East in 1997 for the final withdrawal, subject to final decision by Ministers.
Note the need to make the broad financial implications of our plans for withdrawal clear to the Hong Kong Government.
C.
d. Agree in principle that, subject to the Governor's agreement, the timetable shown at Annex B should be released for public consumption in Hong Kong and the UK. Separate advice will be provided on the precise modalities of release, which inter alia will cover how it should be presented to the Chinese and other interested Governments.
Annexes:
A.
The Hong Kong Garrison.
Outline Sequence of Events for the withdrawal of British Forces from Hong Kong: 1992 - 1997.
B.
COSSEC/S/2.004
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UK EYES A
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